Nuggets hope to not rely on buzzer beater
Since losing to the Nuggets on a buzzer beater just over a month ago (Jan. 2) the Oklahoma City Thunder have notched 7 wins in 13 games in January after recording just 4 wins in all of October, November, and December.
Kevin Durant has been scoring at will (25 ppg) and getting help from his fellow teammates Jeff Green and rookie sensation Russell Westbrook from UCLA. Throw in a cast of competent veterans Earl Watson, Nenad Kristic and Nick Collison and this young team becomes dangerous.
Tonight will be a special game for Thunder reserve guard Chucky Atkins and Nuggets reserve center Johan Petro – as this is the first time they will face their former teams.
I know George Karl likes to implement guys to face their former teams, but I have a feeling Petro will remain planted on the bench (or at least should).
I don't see the Nuggets running away with this one, especially since the Thunder have had three days off since their overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings (122-188). This is a very dangerous game for the Nuggets and after playing poorly last night I expect the team to come out regrouped and ready to play. (Actually I'm lying my ass off … I think there is a good chance that Billups sits and the team comes out and plays sloppy and might give this game away after only losing to one sub .500 team all year – let's hope I'm completely wrong here.)
At the time of writing both Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin are game time decisions.
