NBA Preview – Game 16: Phoenix Suns vs. Denver Nuggets

Feb 18, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward J.J. Hickson (7) shoots the ball during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets look to start a new streak Friday night after seeing the Phoenix Suns snap their five-game win streak this past Wednesday night. Phoenix defeated Denver 120-112 at US Airways Center in Phoenix Arizona. Tonight the game will be held on Denver’s home court – the Pepsi Center.

What: NBA Preview – Game 16: Phoenix Suns (10-6) vs. Denver Nuggets (7-8)
When: Friday, November 28th
Where: Pepsi Center (Denver, Colorado)
Time: 9:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM MST
TV: Altitude Sports

In order for the Nuggets to collect a win Friday night, they must contain Suns SF Gerald Green. Green has definitely been a Nuggets’ killer. In 26 minutes off the bench Wednesday night, Green scored a game-high 24 points on 9-of-17 shooting, knocking down 6-of-11 from behind-the-arc. Green also chipped in 3 rebounds and 2 assists in the Suns 10th victory of the season.

Nuggets PG Ty Lawson is playing at an elite level. Lawson recorded his third-straight double-double in Wednesday night’s loss, scoring 17 points on just 4-of-16 shooting, recording 12 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. Over the past five games, Lawson has recorded double-digit assists in all but one game – 9 assists vs. New Orleans.

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Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe also torched the Nuggets on Wednesday night. Dragic scored 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting, collecting 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals. On the other hand, Bledsoe scored 21 points on 6-of-10 shooting, dishing out 10 assists and 3 steals in the winning effort. Denver must do a better job in containing these two tonight or else the game might have the same end result.

All but one player in Denver’s starting five scored in double-figures – that would be PF Kenneth Faried. Faried scored just 8 points on 3-of-8 shooting, pulling down 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal. Faried is averaging just 11.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.0 steal over Denver’s last five games.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Phoenix Suns (10-6):

PG: Goran Dragic
SG:  Eric Bledsoe
SF: Markieff Morris
PF: Marcus Morris
C: Miles Plumlee

Denver Nuggets (7-8):

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

Tip-off between the Phoenix Suns and Denver Nuggets is scheduled for 9:00 PM EST, 7:00 PM MST.