Nuggets Hope to Shrug Off Flat Effort, Visit Bulls

The Denver Nuggets are looking to bounce back from a lackluster performance as they visit the struggling Chicago Bulls on Monday night. After a lopsided 133-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the opener of their five-game road trip, the Nuggets aim to regain their rhythm and prove they’re not resting on past successes.

Nuggets Seek Urgency After Setback

Denver head coach Michael Malone was clear about what went wrong in Saturday’s loss: a lack of intensity. “We kind of showed up like we were a team that was 12-3 in our last 15 games,” Malone said. “Feeling good about ourselves.”

The team will look to Nikola Jokic, their perennial MVP candidate, to lead the turnaround. Jokic managed 20 points and 11 assists against Minnesota but fell short of his usual dominance, grabbing only three rebounds and ending his streak of five consecutive triple-doubles.

Aaron Gordon acknowledged the team could have leaned on Jokic more. “He came out torching. If he’s doing that, you’ve gotta just feed him,” Gordon said.

Bulls Struggle to Find Consistency

The Chicago Bulls are mired in a tough stretch, having lost eight of their last 10 games, including a 109-97 home defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers on Saturday. Turnovers have been a significant issue, with Chicago committing 20 against Philadelphia, stalling their fourth-quarter momentum.

Head coach Billy Donovan highlighted poor decision-making as a key factor. “Some of it to me is just careless; doing stuff that’s not there,” Donovan said. He emphasized the need for smarter plays when attacking the basket and avoiding turnovers in tight situations.

Zach LaVine has been a bright spot for the Bulls, scoring at least 24 points in four straight games. However, the team has missed the playmaking of Coby White, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury for three games. Lonzo Ball acknowledged the need for a collective effort: “We’ve just got to put together 48 minutes. We haven’t done that much this year.”

Key Matchups to Watch

• Nikola Jokic vs. Bulls’ Defense: Jokic’s ability to dominate in scoring, rebounding, and playmaking could overwhelm Chicago’s defense, especially if he’s featured more prominently.
• Zach LaVine’s Scoring: LaVine’s offensive consistency will be crucial for Chicago to stay competitive.
• Battle in the Paint: With Nikola Vucevic nearly averaging a double-double in his past 10 games against Denver, the paint will be a key battleground.

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Historical Context and Stats

Monday’s game is the first meeting of the season between these two teams, with the rematch scheduled for March 24 in Denver. The Nuggets have a 7-3 edge in the past 10 games of the series, including two victories last season. Jokic averaged 28 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists in their first meeting last year, showcasing his ability to dominate against the Bulls.

For Chicago, Vucevic has been productive against Denver, averaging 20.1 points and 9.8 rebounds in his last 10 matchups, while LaVine has scored 20-plus points in six of his past seven games versus the Nuggets.

What’s at Stake

Denver aims to recapture the form that helped them dominate the league in recent weeks, while Chicago is searching for consistency and a way to snap out of their slump. With both teams needing a spark, Monday’s game offers a chance for either side to build momentum in their respective conference races.