NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers (34-16) vs. Denver Nuggets (22-23)

Dec 21, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets power forward J.J. Hickson (7) guards Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin (32) in the second half of the game at Staples Center. The Clippers won 112-91. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets (22-23) are coming off of a loss to the Toronto Raptors 100-90 as all-star DeMar DeRozan led the way with a game-high of 19 points on 6-of-17 from the field. Denver was without point guards Nate Robinson and Ty Lawson who are out with injuries. Robinson was initially diagnosed with a sprained left ACL but found out a day later it was torn and had surgery. Lawson on the other hand is day-to-day with a shoulder injury (rotator cuff).

What: Regular Season: Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets
When: Monday, February 3rd
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Time: 9:00 PM ET, 7:00 PM MT
TV: Altitude Sports

This is the second of four meeting between the two Western Conference teams as the Los Angeles Clippers took the first game at the Staples Center by the final of 112-91. Blake Griffin had a beast of a game as Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur couldn’t contain him. Blake would record a double-double with 24 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 block. For the Nuggets, Wilson Chandler scored a team-high 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting to go along with 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block.

While Denver hopes to have Ty Lawson back in the line-up, the Clippers are dealing with an injury bug of their own. All-Star point guard Chris Paul has been out for the teams last 15 games due to a separated right shoulder and hopes to be back after the all-star break. Here is what rookie head coach Brian Shaw had to say about the injuries to his team via ESPN:

"“We don’t want anybody to feel sorry for us and we won’t feel sorry for ourselves,” coach Brian Shaw said. “We just have to continue to fight, stay positive, keep working and just be more fundamentally sound.”"

Projected Starting Lineups:

Los Angeles Clippers:

PG: Darren Collison
SG: J.J. Redick
SF: Matt Barnes
PF: Blake Griffin
C: Deandre Jordan

Denver Nuggets:

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