The preseason isn't exactly where defensive schemes go to die, but Denver’s 114.3 points allowed per game is a number that should have their coaching staff reaching for the aspirin. Sitting at 2-1 with a perfect 1-0 road record, the Nuggets are playing loose, but they’ll need to tighten the screws if they want to survive the Clippers' test in Inglewood. Meanwhile, the Clippers enter at 1-1, finally opening their doors at the Intuit Dome for a home debut that’s more about finding rhythm than chasing box scores.
The injury report is a laundry list of "wait and see," with Spencer Jones and Kobe Sanders both tagged as game-time decisions for their respective squads. While the Clippers have been stingier on the defensive end—holding opponents to 107.5 points—preseason rotations are notoriously volatile, making this a classic case of who wants to grind through the second half more. If you’ve got a read on how these depth charts shake out, drop your pick or join the conversation on StreakChat.