Detroit Pistons vs Denver Nuggets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Dec. 28 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Detroit Pistons will attempt to tame a high-flying Denver Nuggets offense when the two teams meet for the first time this season at the Ball Arena in Colorado.

After a disappointing home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, the Nuggets will be eager to bounce back on Saturday. Detroit is currently on a three-game win streak, and will be aiming to close out their four-game road trip with another victory.

Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic will be the headline name at Saturday's event, but there will be plenty of other big names on display for Denver with Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook both set to feature. 2021 first overall pick Cade Cunningham has been outstanding for Detroit over the early stage of the season, and will be supported by highly rated guards Jaden Ivey and Malik Beasley.

Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts in the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Ball Arena. Photo Credit: Imagn

The decision to move on from head coach Monty Williams and sign J.B. Bickerstaff this offseason has paid off for the Detroit Pistons with the team looking extremely competitive in the East. Bickerstaff has already racked up 14 wins, and a big factor has been his talented starting five. Bickerstaff has stayed loyal to his starters. Over the course of the season, only nine different players have received starts.

Center Isaiah Stewart is the only name on the injury report and will miss Saturday's game with a knee issue.

Expect the Detroit Pistons to come out with a starting five that includes Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey, Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris and Jalen Duren.

Detroit Pistons depth chart:

G	Cade Cunningham	Marcus Sasser	Daniss Jenkins
G	Jaden Ivey,	Malik Beasley	Wendell Moore Jr.
F	Tim Hardaway Jr.	Ausar Thompson	Ronald Holland II
F	Tobias Harris	Simone Fontecchio	Cole Swider
C	Jalen Duren	Isaiah Stewart (O)	Paul Reed

The Denver Nuggets have been consistent with their starting lineup over the first two months of the season, with four players receiving 22 or more starts. Michael Porter Jr. leads the way with 27 starts, with Christian Braun next with 27, followed by Nikola Jokic with 25.

The loss of Aaron Gordon will be a major blow for the home team. The talented forward is sidelined due to a right calf strain and will miss Saturday's encounter. Forward Vlatko Cancar and center DaRon Holmes II are also out with injuries.

Michael Malone will likely opt for a starting five that includes Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr., Peyton Watson and Nikola Jokic.

Denver Nuggets depth chart:

G	Jamal Murray	Russell Westbrook	Jalen Pickett
G	Christian Braun	Julian Stawther	Trey Alexander
F	Michael Porter Jr.	Hunter Tyson	Vlato Cancar (O)
F	Aaron Gordon (O)	Peyton Watson	Zeke Nnaji	PJ Hall
C	Nikola Jokic.	DeAndre Jordan	Dario Saric	DaRon Holmes II (O)

Detroit Pistons vs. Denver Nuggets preview

The Detroit Pistons will be coming into Saturday's game on a high after three consecutive wins over the Phoenix Suns, Los Angeles Lakers and Sacramento Kings. It is Detroit's longest win streak of the season, and they will be hoping to close out their four-game road trip with a signature win over the 2023 champions.

Overall, Detroit has a 14-17 record in the East, placing them ninth in the standings. They hold a one game lead over the Chicago Bulls. The Pistons have a 9-9 record in away games. The defense has been a concern for Bickerstaff's team, with the team conceding 114.5 points per game.

Cade Cunningham, now in his fourth season in the NBA, will be the player to keep an eye on for the Pistons. The versatile guard leads the roster in points (24.2) and assists (9.7) and ranks second in the lineup in rebounds (6.9).

A five game win streak in early November saw the Denver Nuggets gain some breathing room over their rivals, but the team has struggled to find any consistency over their last 20 games. Denver has a 16-13 record and sits in seventh position in the Western Conference standings. They are 5-5 in their last 10 games and are currently on a two-game losing streak.

A dynamic offense has been the key for the Denver Nuggets. Michael Malone's team is averaging 119.6 ppg, the second most in the conference behind the Memphis Grizzlies. Nikola Jokic leads the way with 30.7 ppg. The Serbian center also ranks first in the roster in rebounds (12.6) assists (9.4) and steals (1.7).