Nuggets put streak on the line against Charlotte Monday
What a new year it has been for our home town Nuggets, winning 9 of their last 11 games since the start of 2010. It appears Denver fans can once again settle in to witness an awakened and unimpaired team making serious noise around Denver and around the NBA. The Nuggets, with a 3 game lead in the Northwest, have also moved up the power rankings to 4th and are heading into their next game with longest current winning streak in the NBA, winners of their last 6.
With all the success as of late, I remain apprehensive of this team’s ability to make a serious playoff run if they cannot remain at full-strength. Looking back to the 10 games the Nuggets were without their one shot “Mr. Big Shot”, after his groin injury against Oklahoma City, Denver lost 6 of 10, and I believe they would have lost more if not for some late game magic throughout that stretch.
Luckily Chauncey made his return just in time to welcome “King” James and the Cleveland Cavs into Denver on January 8th, a game in which Melo was unable to take the floor. Denver, despite some poor late game ball handling, was able to hold off the Cavs 99-97.
The following night, the Nuggets carried a hometown hangover into Sacramento where they spoiled a dominating first half performance, falling to the unworthy Kings 102-100.
Since the Sacramento sleep walk, the Denver Nuggets have managed to gather their feet and boost their stride to go on a 6 game rip, including 2 overtime victories in Golden State and again tonight against Chris Paul and the Hornets.
Denver and New Orleans locked heads once again in the Pepsi Center tonight; Denver was out bested in their last meeting 98-92 in the bayou. Both teams established themselves early on, going shot for shot. Coach Karl made one of his better decisions of the season by entrusting the vet Afflalo to encase the speedy CP3. The Denver starting five maintained a high level throughout the game, eventually smothering the lingering Hornets in OT as Aaron Afflalo made his shot known, sinking 2 overtime 3 pointers to lock a ‘W’ over the opponents. Chauncey put in work gathering 20 points and 9 assists, and Melo crashed the Hornet party adding 30 points and 11 boards.
Denver will attempt to defend their 6 game win streak at home against the erratic Charlotte Bobcats who dropped the Nuggets by 12 in their previous meeting. From there, Denver takes a three game road trek into Houston, Oklahoma City and finally San Antonio. I say, let’s hope for a healthy return when they meet Sacramento at the Pepsi Center on February 1st.
