NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets (19-18) vs. Golden State Warriors (25-14)

Dec 23, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Randy Foye (4) drives to the basket past Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets had their five-game win streak snapped by the lowly Utah Jazz Monday night by the final score of 118-103. Denver looks to bounce back against a familiar foe in the Golden State Warriors who bounced the club in the first-round of the playoffs last season. Denver’s defense was atrocious against the Utah Jazz allowing 118 points on 55.7% percent shooting, including 8-of-18 from behind-the-arc, 44.4% percent.

What: Regular Season: Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors
When: Wednesday, January 15th
Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Time: 10:30 PM ET, 8:30 PM MT
TV: ESPN

This is the second of four match-ups between the teams this year as the Warriors took the first game on December 23rd in Andre Iguodala‘s first game back at the Pepsi Center since leaving the Denver Nuggets in the offseason. Iguodala played in 31 minutes on that night, shooting 5-of-1o from the field including two three’s, finishing with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. His teammate David Lee stole the show as the Nuggets couldn’t contain the big man. Lee would collect a double-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 2 assists while shooting 11-for-21 from the field, going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. Denver struggled to say the least as the team shot just 38.3% percent from the field while point-guard Ty Lawson led the way. Lawson logged 37 minutes shooting 5-of-14 from the field while scoring 16 points. The guard would knock down all five free-throws attempt and recorded 4 assists and 2 steals.

Randy Foye only took eight shots last game against the Jazz on Monday night, but made 50.0% percent of them (4-of-8). The shooting guard scored 10 points but would foul-out in the match-up. He has been hot however in the last five games, averaging 17.8 points per game, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. His back-court teammate Ty Lawson has evolved his game as well, scored 18.8 points per game, 11.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 41.7% percent in Nuggets last five games.

Projected Starting Line-Ups:

Denver Nuggets:

PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: J.J. Hickson

Golden State Warriors:

PG: Stephen Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Andre Iguodala
PF: David Lee
C: Andre Bogut