RealGM

Denver Nuggets continue homestand vs. Atlanta Hawks



For the Denver Nuggets, a return to the Mile High City over the weekend has provided a boost, with the team having won the first three games of their homestand. Denver (7-4) pulled out a victory over the Indiana Pacers Wednesday despite missing both Nikola Jokić and Michael Porter Jr.

The homestand continues Friday when Denver welcomes the Atlanta Hawks to Ball Arena. Atlanta (4-8) has struggled to begin the season, especially on the defensive end of the floor. The Hawks owned the 28th-ranked defense heading into Thursday’s slate of games, which has held back a squad that is coming off a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals last season.

Denver and Atlanta split the season series during the 2020-21 campaign.

Let it fly from deep
Similar to Denver’s matchup against the Miami Heat to begin the week, the Nuggets should be able to get up a healthy number of attempts from deep Friday night against Atlanta.

Opponents have taken 40.8 percent of their shots from downtown against the Hawks this season, which is the fourth-highest frequency in the league. Although teams haven’t shot lights out on those attempts (35.2 percent, slightly above league average), it will provide Denver’s offense with an opportunity to find a rhythm from deep.


The turnover battle
Denver and Atlanta are near polar opposites when it comes to the possession battle this season.

On the offensive end, the Hawks have effectively limited mistakes, owning a 13.4 percent turnover percentage, which ranks sixth in the league. Meanwhile, Denver’s 15.5 percent ranks 22nd in that regard, although the Nuggets have slowly cut that number down in recent games.

The contrast continues on the defensive end, where Denver has had success forcing turnovers, as teams have coughed it up on 16 percent of their possessions against the Mile High squad, good for 11th in the league. Atlanta has rarely forced mistakes on the defensive end, owning the 27th ranked opponent turnover percentage at 13 percent.

Whichever team is able to win the turnover battle will have a key edge in Friday’s contest.