Denver Nuggets vs. Houston Rockets Gametime

Good Gravy, no, Carmelo Anthony cannot come back to the Denver Nuggets.  Not to play not to spectate.  No thanks, he’s more than over.

The Denver Nuggets will host the Houston Rockets, with both teams struggling anything could really happen.  Denver started off gang-busters and have hit a lull resulting in a three game losing streak, two of those losses at home.

The Rockets will meet the Nuggets sans one player, the enigmatic Carmelo Anthony.  There have been mixed feelings for Anthony since his departure from the Nuggets however it isn’t personal when I say, he’s done.  His day was apparently 6-7 years ago and continuing a fantasy about him has only caused harm for the teams that chose to believe.

He left Denver ugly.  He then went and drove the Knicks into the ground.  I don’t want to think about him on the Thunder and I expected a punchline when I heard about the move to Houston.  Being liked among your peers does not a good (or even adequate) basketball player make.  I’m glad I won’t have to see his mug when I watch the game but disappointed for the booing opportunity lost.  Anthony remains a mixed bag.

The Rockets have gone from finals contender to scratching their heads.  Is it as simple as the Carmelo Curse or is there something bigger happening in Houston?  They have the base to be great and you can never count out vets like Chris Paul.  The middle of the road record they have now surely isn’t how this club will end the season.

The red-hot Nuggets have cooled substantially.  Any that follows Denver for any amount of time knows there is a sensitive place for fans.  It’s difficult to think this season is really going to be different when the same demons appear to be present.  I’m hanging on for this just being a phase that will be worked out soon.

The last three losses have been problematic in that the first loss was sort of attributed to a quiet night from Denver big man Nikola Jokic.  However, for the next two losses the Joker had strong games and numbers.  There’s chatter about Jokic not playing his best with Torrey Craig on the floor.  Craig being the fill-in for the injured Will Barton.

Juan Hernangomez has started and there are rotations that are utilizing Malik Beasley and Monte Morris instead of Craig.  It’s possible new rotations lead to confusion and disorganized play leading to losses.  Two of the three were understandable but the Nuggets should have beat the Nets for sure.  In theory, they should beat the Rockets but on any given Sunday and all that.

Game info as follows:

Tuesday, Nov. 13, 2018 • 9:00 PM ET
Pepsi Center • Denver, CO
Local TV: ATTSN-SW, ALT
Radio: 790 AM, KKSE-FM 92.5/KKSE 950