Wolves vs. Nuggets Gameday

Voice of the Opposition
Nuggets Insider, Chris Lewis provides a scouting report for the match up against Denver tonight at 8 PM.
Nuggets Insider Chris Lewis

Scouting Report
The Denver Nuggets own a 2-0 series advantage over the Wolves this season. Minnesota suffered defeats in the midst of Denver's rise to the top of the Northwest Division. Since the Chauncey Billups trade, the Nuggets are 13-4 while applying a strong defensive approach. Denver ranks third in opponents field goal percentage and has only allowed 97.5 points per game. The Nuggets used a 27-16 third quarter run in the previous game to topple Minnesota. Last Saturday night, the Nuggets crushed the Kings in Sacramento 118-85 as Billups scored 24 points. Denver should be fresh with four days rest including a 7-3 home record at the Pepsi Center.

The Billups trade has vaulted the Nuggets into the discussion for top teams in the Western conference. Denver gained a floor leader and for the first time under George Karl, the team is playing team defense. The Wolves backcourt will need to find an answer to stop Billups after his two spectacular performances against Minnesota this year. In the two victories for Denver, Billups averaged 26.5 points and 4.5 assists. With McHale taking over the head coaching position, Randy Foye is back at the point guard spot. Foye scored 25 points in the loss to the Nuggets over a week ago and can provide strength to defend Billups. Defensively, the Wolves will have to keep Denver off the free throw line. In the two games this year, the Nuggets have reached the charity stripe a total of 66 times compared to 35 attempts for Minnesota. This disparity is a direct result of the aggressive mindset from Billups and the guard play for Denver.

Minnesota could witness a different frontcourt than the two previous meetings against the Nuggets. Kenyon Martin sat out the game against the Kings with a sprained wrist and is listed as day-to-day. Forward Renaldo Balkman earned his first start of the season and scored 17 points in 31 minutes. Carmelo Anthony's points per game are down to 19.6 but his rebounds per game have increased to 8.1. The gold medal winner this summer is dealing with a sore right elbow that continues to bother him this season. Anthony found success on the fast break against the Wolves along with the other big men for Denver. The Nuggets roster is quick at all positions, which has led to a 37-13 fast break point's advantage. Al Jefferson scored 20 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in the first meeting in Denver. Rookie Kevin Love started to improve this year in the game against the Nuggets as he scored 18 points in the loss. Last night, Love dominated the glass with 15 rebounds but missed four crucial free throws down the stretch. Love can atone for the mistakes with a big performance tonight, especially if Martin misses another game.

The bench play is critical to the Nuggets success. J.R. Smith could start for a majority of the teams around the league with his ability to hit the 3-point shot. At 12.4 points per game, Smith can score in bunches and is also a threat on the break to finish above the rim. Linas Kleiza will also jump off the bench to provide solid minutes for the Nuggets. Despite his size, Kleiza likes to run the open floor and toss up 3-point shots.

Denver remains a dangerous offensive team but the improvement on defense has made them a contender in the West. With McHale at the helm for Minnesota, the Wolves will increase the pace and feature a variety of different lineups. Last night, McHale used eight different players in the first quarter in an attempt to find the right combination. Minnesota will have to find a defensive answer for Billups and stop the fast break points from the Nuggets in order to snap a six-game losing skid. Tipoff set for 8 PM in Denver.

Injury Report:
Miller suffered a nasty ankle injury in the loss to Orlando last Wednesday night. The following day, an MRI showed no significant damage but the shooting guard has missed the last three games. Miller is listed as day-to-day.

For Denver, forward Kenyon Martin missed the game against Sacramento with a sprained wrist. Martin is listed as day-to-day.

Projected Starters
Denver
Chauncey Billups, PG
Dahntay Jones, SG
Carmelo Anthony, SF
Kenyon Martin, PF
Nene, C

Minnesota
Randy Foye, PG
Mike Miller, SG
Ryan Gomes, SF
Al Jefferson, PF
Jason Collins, C

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