| Game 21: 2013-2014 NBA Season | ||
|---|---|---|
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@ |  |
| Series 0-0 | ||
| December 9th, 2013 | ||
|
Verizon Center – Washington, DC |
||
| 5:00 PM MT | ||
| Altitude TV / 950 AM | ||
| Starters | ||
| Andre Miller | PG | John Wall |
| Randy Foye | SG | Trevor Ariza |
| Wilson Chandler | SF | Martell Webster |
| Kenneth Faried | PF | Nene |
| J.J. Hickson | C | Marcin Gortat |
| Notes | ||
| Denver Stiffs | Blogs | Bullets Forever |
| Ty Lawson (left hamstring strain) game-time decision, Danilo Gallinari (ACL) out, JaVale McGee (stress fracture, leg) out | Injuries | Bradley Beal (stress injury right fibula) out, Al Harrington (sore right knee) out, Nene (right foot tendinitis) questionable, Martell Webster (strained right ankle) questionable |
| Denver has come back to win after trailing by as many as 10 points on five occasions this season | Stat | Washington swept Denver, 2-0, last season |
The Denver Nuggets travel to the nation’s capital for the final game of their six game road trip. A win this evening would close out their eastern voyage with a 4-2 record. In order call this away stretch a success, the Nuggets will need to defeat a surging Washington Wizards team.
John Wall has been hot. He won player of the week from November 18-24. In nine home games, Wall is averaging 22.2 points, 10.8 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game this season. If Ty Lawson does not play, expect an especially big game from Wall. I do not foresee Andre Miller or Nate Robinson shutting him down defensively. After a rough 2-7 start, the Wizards have righted the ship going 7-2 in their last nine contests, looking to be the first Wizards team to reach the playoffs since the 2007-08 season. Rookie, Otto Porter Jr, will suit up for the second time of his career, tonight. He missed the first 18 games with a hip injury. Friday against Milwaukee he shot 0 for 3 from the field, finishing with no points, two rebounds, and one assist.
If Denver is to win tonight, their bench will need to keep the pressure on the Wizard reserves. Denver's bench is second in the league in points per game (45.3) and first in rebounds per game (20.1). With eleven contributers in the rotation, the habit of waiting for "the guy" to emerge late in games can be problematic. Denver has trailed after the first frame in all five games during this road trip. This is no fault of the offense, as the Nuggs are fourth in the league in first quarter scoring, averaging 27.1 points per game. The defense needs to step up early and establish the tone for the rest of the game. Denver has allowed lesser Eastern Conference opponents to run away with the first half. We cannot expect to close out games against stronger Western Conference foes with the same late runs. I expect Denver to come out with an attitude tonight, allowing defensive tenacity to quite the crowd early. Denver will not only win the game, but they will win the first two quarters, as well.
What am I drinking? Goose Island Bourbon County Stout
This imperial stout is aged in bourbon barrels for one-hundred fifty days. The result is a delightful blend of oak, vanilla, caramel, and smoke. This thick smooth beverage warms the soul and reminds you that Winter isn't as bad as some make it out to be. So curl up by the fireplace, turn on NBA TV, and crack open a bottle of Goose Island's finest offering. At 13% ABV, Bourbon County Stout will boost you into the holiday spirit.
Go Nuggets!
