  We present a combined study of Ni $K$-edge resonant x-ray scattering and
density functional calculations to probe and distinguish electronically driven
ordering and lattice distortions in nickelate heterostructures. We demonstrate
that due to the low crystal symmetry, contributions from structural distortions
can contribute significantly to the energy-dependent Bragg peak intensities of
a bond-ordered NdNiO$_3$ reference film. For a LaNiO$_3$-LaAlO$_3$ superlattice
that exhibits magnetic order, we establish a rigorous upper bound on the
bond-order parameter. We thus conclusively confirm predictions of a dominant
spin density wave order parameter in metallic nickelates with a
quasi-two-dimensional electronic structure.
