NBA Preview – Game 9: Denver Nuggets vs. New York Knicks

Feb 7, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (3) guards New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks won the game 117-90. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets look to make it two-straight wins Sunday afternoon as they visit the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Denver is coming off an impressive bounce-back win, defeating the Indiana Pacers on the road, 108-87. Denver will face some familiar faces in Carmelo Anthony, J.R. Smith – both of which last played for the Nuggets during the 2010-11′ season.

What: NBA Preview – Game 9: Denver Nuggets (2-6) vs. New York Knicks (2-8)
When: Sunday, November 16th
Where: Madison Square Garden (New York, New York)
Time: 1:00 PM EST, 11:00 PM MST
TV: Altitude Sports

With Randy Foye out of the lineup Friday night with a deep knee bruise, Brian Shaw inserted rookie first-round pick Gary Harris (NBA Debut) into the lineup and he did not disappoint. In front of his mother and friends, Harris chipped in 13 points off the bench, collecting 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block in 18 minutes of play.

Denver was tough from top to bottom against an injury-riddled Pacers team, as seven players scored in double-figures led by Arron Afflalo with 17 points. Everyone in the starting lineup reached at least 10+ points besides center Timofey Mozgov, who scored just 3 points on 1-of-7 shooting in 21 minutes of action.

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Another positive from Friday night’s victory of Indiana, Denver shot 49.4% from the field which is the highest they’ve shot all-season(8 games).

Like Denver, New York is struggling mightily. The Knicks are coming off a heartbreaking 102-100 loss at home to the Utah Jazz where Trey Burke put the nail in the coffin with a buzzer-beater to help the Jazz notch their fourth victory of the season. Carmelo Anthony is going to get his and did so in the loss. Melo scored 46 points on 16-of-26 shooting, knocking down 13-of-16 attempts from the charity stripe.

Only one other player for New York scored in double-figures vs. Utah and it was back-up point guard Pablo Prigioni – 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting. Denver must take advantage on the class in order to put away the Knicks Sunday afternoon.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Denver Nuggets (2-6)

PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Arron Afflalo
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Timofey Mozgov

New York Knicks (2-8)

PG: Shane Larkin
SG: Iman Shumpert
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Jason Smith
C: Samuel Dalembert

Tip-off between the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks is scheduled for 1:00 PM EST, 11:00 PM MST.