(Denver-CO) The Denver Nuggets play host to the Memphis Grizzlies tonight in a game that should be a tune up for the looming six-game road trip starting Tuesday. However, never one to look over opponents, I will say I’m looking forward to seeing the Grizzlies this evening.

Memphis is a team with a hodgepodge of talent ranging from young to almost ready for retirement. On one end of the spectrum, you have Allen Iverson. The former Nugget was disgruntle (to say the least) about his situation in Detroit after Denver swapped him for Chauncey Billups in last season’s biggest trade and he spent a long off-season shopping for a place to play. He ended up in Memphis on a $3 million dollar deal, but just like in Detroit, he is not slated to start nor is he active for tonight’s game  with a bad hammy. On the opposite side of the spectrum, the Grizzlies have youth in second-year pros O.J. Mayo, Mike Conley, and rookie Hasheem Thabeet (who I think is going to have a bright future in the NBA) and I’m very interested in seeing how their chemistry looks this early in the season.

For Denver, things are firing on all cylinders and what’s scary is how this team isn’t even at full strength yet with the suspended J.R. Smith unavailable.  Denver is 2-0 for only the third time since 1987 and with a win tonight can improve to 3-0 for the first time since the 1985-86 season. And, with the history between Denver and Memphis, the Nuggets have a very good chance at doing just that. The Nuggets have dominated the Grizzlies, having won 24 of 27 meetings all-time and 14 of 15 in the Mile High City, since the franchise moved to Memphis. Furthermore, the Nuggets have won their last four home games against the Grizzlies having done so by an average of 14.5 points. In tonight’s game, I would really like to see Denver get out on the break and put some early distance on the scoreboard. The Memphis Grizzlies are not a team who are equipped to play from behind so if Denver handles their work early this game shouldn’t be much of a fuss.

Things to watch for this evening are as follows:

- ‘Melo could very well score 40 points again tonight. The Grizzlies are not a very strong defensive team and Carmelo is leading the league in scoring at 35.5 ppg.

- The Birdman needs to stretch his wings. Andersen has only blocked one shot this season thus far and the Nuggets really do need the Bird’s presence inside when Nene or Kenyon Martin is on the bench.

- Ty Lawson is currently the Nuggets third overall scorer with an average of 12 ppg. His change of pace is just as valuable to this team as any other aspect from any other bench player. Be sure to notice how the fast break kicks up when Lawson is in the game.

- Nene has fouled out in each of the first two games. For a guy who is being considered in All-Star murmurings, the refs sure aren’t giving “Big Brazil” much benefit of the doubt with whistle.

Go Nuggets!

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