NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets (25-32) vs. Portland Trailblazers (40-18)
By Andrew Dill
Feb 25, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Aaron Brooks (left) drives to the basket past Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (right) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets (25-32) fell flat on their face this past Thursday as they fell to the Brooklyn Nets on national television, 112-89. The Nuggets would wind up scoring just eight points in the first quarter which was a season low. Shooting guard Randy Foye would score a team-high 15 points on 5-of-12 shooting, collecting 4 rebounds to go with 3 assists and 2 steals. Denver will look to end a four-game slide as they take on the Portland Trailblazers.
What: NBA Preview: vs.
When: Saturday, March 1st
Where: Moda Center
Time: 10:00 PM ET, 8:00 PM MT
TV: NBA TV
This is the fourth and final meeting between the two Northwest Divisional foes as the Trailblazers look to complete a four-game sweep of the Denver Nuggets. The last meeting between them was just this past Tuesday as the Blazers held off the Nuggets late to earn the win, 100-95. Damian Lillard scored a game-high 31 points on 8-of-21 shooting, hitting four three-pointers while converting 11 of his 13 free-throw attempts.
Denver Nuggets small forward Wilson Chandler was the latest member of the injury bug for the Nuggets. Chandler suffered a sprained knee while players like Ty Lawson (fractured rib), JaVale McGee (fractured tibia), Nate Robinson (ACL), Danilo Gallinari (ACL), & Darrell Arthur remain out of the lineup.
Denver’s consecutive playoff streak of ten seasons looks to be all but over as the team has to rely on players like Aaron Brooks, Evan Fournier, Kenneth Faried, & J.J. Hickson to give them enough competitive edge to compete in games.
Blazers power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (strained groin) reportedly felt good at practice on Friday. His status for the game will likely be determined at the morning shootaround.
Projected Starting Lineups:
Denver Nuggets:
PG: Aaron Brooks
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Evan Fournier
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Timofey Mozgov
Portland Trailblazers:
PG: Damian Lillard
SG: Wesley Matthews
SF: Nicolas Batum
PF: Dorell Wright
C: Robin Lopez