NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets (24-23) vs. New York Knicks (19-30)
By Andrew Dill
Nov 29, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) shoots the ball over Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Chandler Returns To The Garden
The Denver Nuggets (24-23) look to keep their playoff push alive as they will play the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Nuggets just came off of a win that would have been otherwise noted as a trap game in the Milwaukee Bucks. They edged out the win 110-100 as Wilson Chandler dropped a team-high 24 points followed by shooting guard Randy Foye who scored 20 points going 5-of-10 from behind-the-arc.
What: vs.
When: Friday, February 7th
Where: Madison Square Garden
Time: 7:30 PM ET, 5:30 PM MT
TV: Altitude Sports
This is the second and final meeting between the two teams this season as Denver took the first one at the Pepsi Center edging the Knicks, 97-95. Ty Lawson scored a team-high 22 points while shooting 5-of-10 from the field, knocking down 10-of-12 free-throw attempts. Center J.J. Hickson was a key player in the win as he finished with 13 points on 4-of-9 shooting, collecting 11 rebounds. Former Nugget Carmelo Anthony scored a game-high 27 points but missed the potential tying jumper at the buzzer to end the game.
The Nuggets were trailing to the Milwaukee Bucks at halftime and head coach Brian Shaw didn’t like the energy level he saw.
"“For whatever reason, not bringing the same energy,” Shaw said. “We don’t look forward to the matchups when those marquee names aren’t out there. We are not going to meet the challenge. We have to find a way to bring it consistently regardless who our opponent is.”"
The Nuggets look to take their head coaches advice as they face a team in the Knicks that are one of the worse teams at home with a record of 11-17.
Meanwhile, forward Wilson Chandler is playing his first game at the Madison Square Garden since he was dealt in a package for Carmelo Anthony on February 22nd, 2011. Denver did play the Knicks last year at the Garden but Chandler was out due to a hip injury.
Projected Starting Line-Ups:
Denver Nuggets (24-23)
PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: J.J. Hickson
New York Knicks (19-30)
PG: Raymond Felton
SG: Pablo Prigioni
SF: Iman Shumpert
PF: Carmelo Anthony
C: Tyson Chandler