Nuggets – Cavs Preview
By Matt Welch
The Denver Nuggets (32-18) are undoubtedly the hottest team in the NBA right now. They’re riding an eight-game win streak with the most recent victory coming over the Chicago Bulls, 128-96. Their home stand has come to end and now they’ll travel to Clevelenad to take on the Cleveland Cavaliers (15-34).
Feb 7, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets small forward Kenneth Faried (35) reacts after dunking the ball in the third quarter against the Chicago Bulls at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 128-96. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Kenneth Faried and Wilson Chandler were both nearly perfect on the court against the Bulls. The duo shot 17-19 collectively with Faried scoring 21 points and pulling down 12 boards while Chanlder led all scorers with 24 points. The Nuggets ended up with six players in double figures. Ty Lawson also added a double-double, scoring 14 points and dishing out 12 assists. The Nuggets have quietly been crushing just about every opponent they’ve come in contact with and they’re looking to keep up the intensity when they roll into Cleveland.
The Cavs are still being led by newly named All Star Kyrie Irving. The second-year man is averaging 23.9 points, 5.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game, leading his team in all three of those categories. Rookie Dion Waiters has also been playing very well as of late. He’s averaging 14.3 points per game this season. The Cavs are a young team who are still looking to find their way. The veteran on the starting line up is Alonzo Gee, who only has 3 years in the league. Irving and Tristan Thompson are both in their second year while Waiters and Tyler Zeller are both rookies.
The Nuggets will look to move the ball effectively and come up with another victory to keep their winning streak alive.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 pm ET (5:30 pm MST) from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland.