The Daily Star Ireland
The Denver Nuggets host the Chicago Bulls on October 15, 2025 in an NBA preseason tune-up at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, tipping off at 9:00 pm ET. Denver is in transition under new leadership and wants to use this game to solidify roles, while Chicago looks to test its youthful core on the road and build chemistry before the regular season begins.
Denver Nuggets Preview
Coaching & Philosophy
Denver enters a new era with David Adelman, who was promoted from interim to full head coach this offseason. He inherits a roster still built around Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr., but with a mandate to evolve their style and perhaps add more movement and versatility. Adelman is known as a cerebral coach with a background in player development and offense-first thinking, aiming to maintain continuity while injecting new wrinkles.
Denver’s identity remains centered on Jokić’s playmaking gravity, smart reads, and controlled pace. They want to strike a balance between half-court sets and opportunistic transition, depending on matchups. On defense, the Nuggets will mostly run man-to-man with switches on the perimeter and drop coverage with Jokić as the anchor.
Tactical Breakdown
- Offense: Expect frequent pick-and-rolls with Jokić, where he can read defenses and find cutters or shooters. Murray will serve as both a secondary creator and off-ball threat. The Nuggets will lean on spacing — if their shooters stay active, that opens driving lanes and kick-out opportunities. They may test small-ball lineups or more motion-oriented sets to challenge opposing defenses.
- Defense: Primarily man-to-man, with switching on guard/wing actions. Jokić may assume a drop scheme in some sets, protecting the rim while encouraging contests from the perimeter. The concern is defensive rebounding and containing quick wings; Denver must ensure help-side rotations and avoid overcommitting.
- Rotation & Roles: The core (Jokić, Murray, Porter Jr., etc.) should see sizable minutes, but this preseason game will be a chance for bench pieces and fringe players to make a case. Adelman may experiment with different lineups, like more shooters or more athletic wings, to see which fits best long term.
Injuries & Selection Dilemmas
There are no glaring public injury concerns at Denver as of now. But in the preseason context, player rest, minute limitations, or load management could affect how deep the rotation goes. Expect cautious usage of bigs or veterans until rhythm is established.
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strengths: elite playmaking at center with Jokić, established core chemistry, experience in big moments.
- Weaknesses: tightening spacing when shots aren’t falling, defensive matchups against faster guards/wingers, potential bench inconsistencies in pressure situations.
Chicago Bulls Preview
Coaching & Philosophy
Under Billy Donovan, Chicago’s roster is one of the youngest in the NBA. The 2025–26 Bulls are built around youthful upside — players like Josh Giddey, Coby White, and Matas Buzelis are seen as the foundation. Donovan’s challenge: blend development with competitiveness and create identity through defense, effort, and ball movement.
Chicago’s identity is still forming. They aim for guard-driven creation, spacing, and in some stretches transition offense. Defensively, they will lean on energy, communication, and opportunistic switching, though consistently guarding dominant bigs will test them.
Tactical Breakdown
- Offense: Giddey is now locked in on a four-year extension and will shoulder a lot of creative responsibility. The Bulls are likely to deploy pick-and-rolls, handoffs, and off-ball movement to free shooters and attack mismatches. They will also aim to push transition when possible.
- Defense: Mostly man coverage, with switching on perimeter actions. Chicago must be disciplined in help defense, especially when guarding Jokić’s passing windows.
- Rotation & Roles: With the depth chart set after signing Giddey, expect the starters — Giddey, Coby White, Matas Buzelis, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vučević/Zach Collins — to get early looks. The bench mix of wings, shooters, and backup guards will be tested in varied lineups.
Injuries & Selection Dilemmas
There are no marquee injury issues publicized for Chicago ahead of this matchup. However, roster additions continue — they signed Kevin Knox recently ahead of the season as a depth option. Given the youth on the roster, minute management, especially early in the season, could factor into how coaches stagger lineups.
Strengths & Weaknesses
- Strengths: young core with upside (Giddey, Buzelis), energetic defenders, potential for growth and surprise performances.
- Weaknesses: interior defense against Jokić, rebounding in mismatch situations, consistency in three-point shooting, and vulnerability to elite creation.
Recent Trends & Context
Denver is trying to maintain its status as a contender despite staff changes, while Chicago is in a growth phase, trying to prove its trajectory is upward. Historically, Chicago has picked up meaningful wins in Denver, showing they can respond to adversity. With Chicago’s core now all 25 or younger, the future hinges on games like this — can they compete tonight despite the uphill battle?
Key Players to Watch
Denver
- Nikola Jokić — the fulcrum. If he dictates tempo and facilitates, Denver will have the upper hand.
- Jamal Murray — his ability to score, create off the ball, and find rhythm is vital.
- Michael Porter Jr. — spacing and catch-and-shoot consistency are key; when he’s on, Denver opens up.
Chicago
- Josh Giddey — the ball will often be in his hands; his reads, vision, and decision-making will define many possessions.
- Coby White — scoring punch and off-ball cuts or pull-ups will be critical.
- Matas Buzelis or Patrick Williams — their ability to guard wings, shoot, and help on defense will be tested.
What to Watch Live
- Who controls tempo — will Chicago push or will Denver force a more controlled half-court game?
- In-game adjustments — how Adelman and Donovan tweak defenses, rotations, and matchups.
- Matchups — particularly Jokić vs his guarding schemes, and perimeter contests.
- Bench impact — which reserves provide stability, who struggles, and how +/– splits shift momentum.
- Foul trouble — especially for bigs; early fouls can force major rotation changes.
- Closing lineups — which five close the game; trust and cohesion will matter most.
Where to Watch Live
In the U.S., the game will be available via NBA League Pass; local networks in Denver or Chicago may simulcast. Tip-off is 9:00 pm ET (7:00 pm MT). International viewers should check regional NBA broadcast partners. Replays and highlights will become available on NBA’s official platforms following the game.
Betting Insight
Denver will likely be the favorite, possibly with a spread in the –6 to –8 range. The total might hover in the 230s, reflecting expectations of strong offense and evolving defenses. The over could have value, especially in a game with experimental rotations and adjustments. Player props: Jokić assist or triple-double lines will draw interest; Giddey’s creation and assist totals also present value. Betting verdict: I lean Denver to cover, but Chicago may keep it within reach — backing the over could be a smart complement.
Prediction
I expect a Denver Nuggets victory, 122–114. The X-factor: spacing and interior control. If Denver’s shooters stay active and Jokić is given room to operate, Chicago’s defense will be stretched. In this NBA preview, we expect the Nuggets to pull away late, while Chicago shows fight but falls short.
