Getting The Road Trip Off To A Quick Start
The Denver Nuggets have been as different as night and day on the road compared to playing at home.
But on Tuesday, the Nuggets got the road trip off on the right foot. Denver played its game, with 23 assists and shooting .50 percent from the field and behind the arc. The Nuggets also had six players score in double figures to pick up their fifth road win of the season.
Denver was nearly unstoppable on offense, scring nearly 70 points in the first half and finishing the contest with 120.
The Nuggets jumped on the Washington Wizards early behind Chauncey Billups. Billups scored 12 of his 15 points in the first nine minutes of the contest to give Denver an early 22-10 advantage.
The Wizards got within five points in the second quarter, but Arron Afflalo scored nine straight points in for the Nuggets to push the lead back up to 50-38. Denver was able to push the lead to 17 points after the third and Al Harrington took care of the rest in fourth by nailing five treys in the fourth quarter.
Once again JR Smith found himself in George Karl’s doghouse after missing shoot around and by the sounds of JR Smith’s twitter it doesn’t sound like he will be seeing the floor anytime soon.
"It’s hard to explain the mood I’m in. I’m happy cause we won but I’m pissed cause I didn’t play! An I know this situation won’t get better!"
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Nene once again put up All-Star numbers, hitting 8 of 9 shots, scoring 21 points and grabbing nine rebounds.
- Carmelo Anthony had 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists, but only shot 8-of -20 and had four turnovers.
- Harrington scored 21 points and made 6-of-8 from behind the arc.
- Ty Lawson chipped in 17 points off the bench.
- Afflalo also added 18 points.
The Nuggets will now try to stop their slide in Detroit, where they have lost 14 consecutive games. It also is a homecoming of sorts for Billups and Afflalo, who each played for the Pistons. The team will also have to play the game without Kenyon Martin, who will rest on the second game of a back-to-back. Shelden Williams should start in his place. But who knows, maybe Smith will get some playing time.