| 31 March 2009
(Denver-CO) I don't have a ton of time today, so instead of a lengthy preview of tonight's match-up with the Knicks I'm just going to flash some key points instead.
- Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points against the Warriors and his 74 points over the last two games are the third most he has ever scored in consecutive games. Hopefully, Carmelo's offensive renaissance will continue as he is scoring an average of 30.4 points per game over his last five games.
- Linas Kleiza scored 22 points against Golden State. In doing so, it was the first time in eight games that he had scored in double figures sicne scoring 20 against the Thunder back in mid March. Kleiza's scoring average has been on the steady decline since it peaked this season at 13.9 ppg for games played in the month of January. Currently, LK is averaging just 7.3 ppg in the month of March. It would be nice to see LK snap out of this funk as the Nuggets head into the playoffs. When Denver has both LK and J.R. coming off the bench and providing offensive firepower it makes the Nuggets far more formidable.
- Chris Andersen is currently playing some of the finest basketball of his career. The Birdman is averaging 11.2 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks in over 25 minutes per game over his last five games. This stretch also includes his career-high scoring night of 18 points coming against the Washington Wizards.
- J.R. Smith is another Nugget playing some of the finest basketball of his career. Smith is averaging the bloated total of 20.4 points per game over his last five games while shooting over 53% from the field. Even more impressive is his 2.4 turnovers per game clip in over 28 minutes per game in that same stretch of games that includes a 40-point performance against the Wizards.
- As you can see, the Nuggets are really hitting what I might dare call a stride. Winners of eight out of their last nine games, the Nuggets can solidify a playoff birth tonight with a win over the Knicks. It will be the sixth consecutive year, which covers the entirety of Carmelo's career, that Denver has made the post season.
- The Nugget offense is what has been making the difference as of late. Denver has scored 100 or more points in each of their last nine games while averaging 112 points and shooting a blistering 49% from the field.
- The Knicks on the other hand are in the midst of what I would call a funk. Losers of eight out of their last nine games, New York was flirting with the post season this year before all but falling out of contention. NY currently is six and a half games out of the eight spot.
- The Knicks defense has been whats let down New York's hopes of a post season appearance. New York has allowed 100 or more points to be scored on them in four out of their last five games, including a 140-point allowance to the Clippers.
- Even worse for the Knicks still is the injury bug. Guard Larry Hughes tweaked his ankle in Monday's loss to the Jazz and Quentin Richardson is not expected to play against the Nuggets with a similar injury.
It all adds up to one thing, Nuggets Nation: A BIG night for the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. I'm expecting a blow out.
Go Nuggets!
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