Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets will be playing against Cade Cunningham and the Detroit Pistons tonight. As most NBA fans should be aware, the Nuggets are the reigning defending NBA champions after having won the title by defeating the Miami Heat in the 2023 NBA Finals.
To start off the 2023-2024 NBA season, Denver currently holds a record of 9 wins and 4 losses. Although this is a good start to the season, that only gives them the 3rd spot in a competitive Western Conference. The Nuggets will be taking on the Pistons, a team in the East with a record of 2 wins and 12 losses, giving them the last spot.
As the Nuggets and Pistons get ready to play tonight, fans might want to know the injury reports and expected starting lineups. Additionally, a prediction for this game will also be made towards the end.
Nikola Jokic is expected to play in the Denver Nuggets vs Detroit Pistons game tonight
Thankfully for Nuggets fans, Jokic looks healthy and is expected to play tonight against the Pistons. There is no denying that the Joker’s rise to stardom has played a huge role in the recent success that the Nuggets have seen. Nikola appears to have picked up right where he left off last season and is playing at an elite level.
Although we know that Jokic is going to be playing in this game, the same cannot be said about all of the other stars on both sides. With that being said, let us take a look at the complete injury reports and starting lineups for this game.
Denver Nuggets injury report
- Jamal Murray (out)
- Vlatko Cancar (out)
Denver Nuggets expected starting lineup
- Reggie Jackson
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
- Aaron Gordon
- Michael Porter Jr.
Detroit Pistons injury report
- Joe Harris (out)
- Isaiah Livers (out)
- Monte Morris (out)
- Bojan Bogdanovic (out)
- Jalen Duren (out)
- Killian Hayes (questionable)
Detroit Pistons expected starting lineup
- Cade Cunningham
- Jaden Ivey
- Ausar Thompson
- Kevin Knox II
- Isaiah Stewart
While Jokic looks healthy for the Nuggets, the same cannot be said about Jamal Murray, who is dealing with a hamstring injury. Similarly, the Pistons roster is filled with injuries. Nonetheless, here are the expert predictions for this game.
The Nuggets are favored over the Pistons tonight
Considering that this is a matchup between a team with the best record and a team with the worst, we have to believe that the Nuggets are the clear-cut superior team and will win this game. Even without Jamal Murray on the court for the team.
Although we are just a little over 10 games into the NBA season, the Pistons’ season might just be over with this 2-12 start. While they will certainly be desperate to get this win over the Nuggets, they will not be favored to do so tonight.
