Nuggets get back on track

Leave it to the Denver Nuggets to give up a 10-point lead on back-to-back nights, but the difference was the Nuggets were facing a far less talented team Tuesday night.

After letting the Phoenix Suns rally to beat them Monday night the Nuggets weren’t about to let history repeat itself Tuesday. The New York Knicks overcame a double-digit deficit to get within a point in the closing seconds in front of a not so packed crowd before the Nuggets sealed the victory.

It was far from an ‘A’ game for the Nuggets as super sub JR Smith continues to fall out of rotation in favor surprising free agent Gary Forbes.

• Chauncey Billups continued his shooting slump, missing eight of his 12 shots and making only five of seven from the charity stripe (one was missed on purpose to close out the game).
• Carmelo Anthony is still the Rodney Dangerfield of the NBA as he was called for two offensive foul, a loose ball foul on a jump ball and for a technical foul for throwing his headband.
• After a hot start to the season Arron Afflalo has come back to earth and missed three of the four shots he attempted. You can tell he is hesitating shooting the ball.
• Ty Lawson continues to struggle at the charity stripe, he missed all four from the free throw line – including two late in the game as the Knicks had their rally.
• Smith wasn’t working to get himself back on the floor, he sat out warmups and wasn’t involved in any of the team huddles. Not exactly the right mentality to work yourself back into the rotation.

The only highlights of the game was the play of big man Nene and Forbes. Nene had three big dunks in the contest (including two facials on Ronny Turiaf) and starting the game by nailing a deep jumper. He still is struggling on the glass, but at least he is being aggressive. Forbes on the other hand attacked the glass on both sides of the ball (nine rebounds, five offensive) and nailing three treys in the contest.