NBA Game 2 Preview: Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunders

Mar 24, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) brings the ball up the court against Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) during the third quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets couldn’t have started the season any better, collecting an 89-79 victory over the Detroit Pistons at home Wednesday night. Tonight, their focus shifts to the Oklahoma City Thunder who are banged up to say the least.

What: NBA Regular Season – Game 2: Denver Nuggets (1-0) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (0-2)
When: Saturday, November 1st
Where: Chesapeake Energy Area (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)
Time: 8:00 PM EST, 6:00 PM MST
TV: Altitude Sports

The Oklahoma City Thunder are banged up. Superstar forward Kevin Durant was already injured prior to the season with a foot injury and now Russell Westbrook is out for quite some time with a fractured hand. Denver can take advantage of this tonight if they pull away with the win.

Kenneth Faried was easily Denver’s Player of the Night against the Pistons. The “Manimal” played 28 minutes Wednesday night, shooting 8-of-12 from the field with 22 points, 17 rebounds, and 4 assists. Faried even showed us that he could knock down a consistent 15-foot jumper. Faried’s game has evolved in-front of our very eyes and I can’t wait to see more.

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Despite rusty night’s from Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari, you have to be impressed with their win over Detroit. Starters Arron Afflalo and Timofey Mozgov scored in double-figures and everyone on the best recorded at least one basket. Jusuf Nurkic was a stand-out guy to me, recording 7 rebounds in just 13 minutes of play.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma City Thunder sit at a record of 0-2 and are now without their top two players. In the absence of Durant and Westbrook, Perry Jones had the game of his life Thursday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Jones shot 10-of-17 from the field in 42 minutes, recording 32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block. Former Colorado Buffaloes PF Andre Roberson scored 9 points while adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 37 minutes.

Tip-off between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder is scheduled for 8:00 PM EST, 6:00 PM MST.