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Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets Preseason: 3 things to watch for

By Ryan Snellings

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 7: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets speaks to Boban Marjanovic #51 of the LA Clippers after the game between the two teams on April 7, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 7: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets speaks to Boban Marjanovic #51 of the LA Clippers after the game between the two teams on April 7, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Los Angeles Clippers will host the Denver Nuggets in a preseason match a week before they face off again to start the regular season.

The Los Angeles Clippers host the Denver Nuggets tonight at Staples Center in their next to last preseason game. Eight days from today, these two teams will face off to open the season, so this could be a solid litmus test. Here are three things to watch for tonight.

1. Guard match-up

Patrick Beverley off a DNP against the Lakers on Saturday should be back in the lineup. Avery Bradley may get rest in this game, but at this time no announcements have been made. Regardless, the Clippers guards should have their hands full with Gary Harris and Jamal Murray.

This will be the best test so far that the backcourt has had defensively, so if they want to live up to their Clamp City moniker, tonight will be the night to shine.

We are sadly going to be robbed of watching Shai Gilgeous-Alexander match up against Isaiah Thomas who is out with a hip injury. The 6’6 Gilgeous-Alexander guarding the 5’9 Thomas would be quite the sight to see, but we will just have to wait for the regular season.

2. Big Man Battle

Yes, we think Marcin Gortat can finally prove his defensive worth against Nikola Jokic. He may get scored on a decent amount, but Gortat has to slowly prove himself to Clippers fans. We covered him in depth in our player previews (linked below) and really think he can shine in his limited role for the team.

Must Read. Marcin Gortat Player Preview. light

But that’s not the match up we are here to talk about. WE. WANT. BOBAN.

If you remember last season, the game in Denver against the Nuggets was when Clipper fans fell in love with Boban Marjanovic. He came off the bench and dropped 18 points while Jokic and the rest of the Nuggets failed to bother him. His heroic effort ignited a Clippers comeback victory.

Tonight, we may get the sequel. Boban showed off against the Lakers on Saturday and we can always look forward to more of Bobi.

3. Playoff Spot Contention

It is likely that both the Nuggets and Clippers will be in a season long fight for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Last season, both the Nugs and Clips finished on the outside looking in with records of 46-36 and 42-40 respectively. The eighth seed Timberwolves finished at 47-35

With some changes in the West, there is a real chance that one of or both of these teams make the playoffs. It won’t be an easy road, as teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers, who finished below the Clippers, made offseason improvements.

Everyone will be fighting and every game will matter. As fellow playoff contenders, this preseason matchup could be a slight indicator of how the season could look for each.

Make sure to tune in tonight on NBA TV at 7:30 PST or on Fubo.TV and follow along on Twitter as we live tweet the game!

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