Joffrey Lauvergne an early preseason standout

Second-year player Joffrey Lauvergne has been the early standout, coming into Thursday's game with preseason averages of 15.0 points, on 72.2 percent shooting, and 12.5 rebounds.

He started against the Bulls and scored 18 points with eight rebounds as the Nuggets won their second game of the preseason, 112-94, Thursday night at the Coors Events Center over the Chicago Bulls. Using a suffocating display of defense, they held Chicago to 31 percent shooting in the first half and used a 20-3 run to break things open.

-- Denver Post