NBA Preview: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers
By Andrew Dill
Feb 3, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) jumps with the ball as he drives to the basket during the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
With just two regular season games remaining on the schedule for the Denver Nuggets, the end to an injury riddled season is almost over. However, Denver has played some very good basketball of late, winning three-straight over the Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors, and Utah Jazz. Denver rallied back down 44-34 at halftime to defeat the Jazz at home, 101-94. Kenneth Faried was a big part of the comeback win, scoring 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting, hauling down 21 rebounds to go along with five assists. Teammate Randy Foye would score a game-high 26 points on 7-of-13 shooting, collecting four rebounds and six assists in the winning effort.
What: NBA Preview: vs.
When: Tuesday, April 15th
Where: STAPLES Center
Time: 10:30 PM ET, 8:30 PM MT.
TV: TNT
This is the fourth and final meeting between the two clubs as Denver currently leads the series, up 2-1. In the most recent meeting back on Mar. 17th, the Nuggets would hold off the Clippers at home by the final of 110-100. Kenneth Faried would record a monster double-double, scoring 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting to compliment that with 16 rebounds; six of those rebounds were offensive. J.J. Hickson who is done for the year with a torn ACL, would record a double-double off of the bench by scoring 21 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Chris Paul would lead the way scoring a game-high 29 points on 10-of-19 shooting, connecting on 9-of-11 shots from the charity stripe.
This is what rookie head coach Brian Shaw has had to say about the Nuggets performance of late:
"“I’m proud of them and the way they’re finishing up this season,” coach Brian Shaw said. “I think this is exactly what we wanted to see ending up the season to carry over into next season, win or lose, the kind of effort it’s going to take and the togetherness we’re going to need to be successful.”"
In other news, forward Danilo Gallinari has joined the team on the bench in uniform, but will not play. Here is more from coach Brian Shaw:
"“He asked if he could do that,” said coach Brian Shaw. “Being injured, you’re on the team, but you don’t really feel like you’ve really been part of the team — not going through the practices and some of the same things that the other guys have had to endure and go through."
Projected Starting Lineups:
Denver Nuggets:
PG: Aaron Brooks
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Quincy Miller
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Timofey Mozgov
Los Angeles Clippers:
PG: Chris Paul
SG: J.J. Redick
SF: Matt Barnes
PF: Blake Griffin
C: DeAndre Jordan