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Nelson Returns To Orlando As Nuggets Take On Magic

By Chris Kirby

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Tonight, the Denver Nuggets will take on the Orlando Magic in Orlando, completing the second part of their Florida trip. This game will be the last of a five-game Southeastern road trip, before the team returns home for two games.

The Nuggets (26-44) are coming off of a 108-91 loss to the Miami Heat on Friday, after blowing an early lead. Denver had a 10-point lead with 5:20 remaining in the first quarter, but the Heat closed the gap by the end of period, trailing by only one point. Miami outscored Denver 37-23 in the second quarter, as they cruised to the easy victory.

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    • Kenneth Faried continued his great play, scoring 20 points in 35 minutes of play. Over the last four games, he has averaged 20.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per-game, while shooting an outstanding 57.4-percent from the field.

    The Nuggets have lost three straight games, after winning six of their first eight games after Melvin Hunt took over as the interim head coach. They also have an 11-games losing streak against Eastern Conference opponents, but they have been able to beat the Magic (22-49) the past four times they have played.

    The Magicians won their last game, 111-104 against the Portland Trailblazers, which ended a six-game losing streak for the rebuilding squad.

    Rookie point guard Elfrid Payton played like a ten-year veteran, as he recorded 22 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. That marked his second consecutive triple-double, after putting up 15 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists in a March 18th loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He became the first Magic player to record two triple-doubles in a row, and the first rookie to do so since Antoine Walker in 1997.

    Payton has found his role under Orlando interim coach James Borrego, averaging 15.2 points, 8.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds per-game over his last nine games.

    Elfrid Payton may be playing great as Orlando point guard of the future, but their point guard of the past will be in the building tonight — this time in a Nuggets uniform.

    “It’s not as crazy as people think. I’m still given an opportunity to do something I love to do. It’s a blessing no matter how you look at it. I always say I’m very fortunate to be able to play here for 10 years and accomplish the things I’ve accomplished here individually, and with my teammates. But, obviously, I’ve moved on, and then this year has been a little weird, but it’s part of it.” — Jameer Nelson

    Jameer Nelson played 10 years for the Magic and he helped them reach the 2009 NBA Finals. He has played the second most games in Orlando Magic history, while recording the fourth-highest amount of points and dishing out the most assists.

    The Magic waived Nelson in late-June and he signed a free-agent contract with the Dallas Mavericks weeks later. Nelson played two months for the Mavericks before being traded to the Boston Celtics (as part of the Rajon Rondo trade), in late-December. He was eventually traded again, to Denver in mid-January, in exchange for Nate Robinson.

    This game will be the second time that Nelson has played in Orlando as a member of another team. He recorded nine points, eleven assists, four rebounds and four steals in a December 23rd game, as a Celtic.

    Nelson has played great in his past five games (17.0 points, 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds per-game), but there is a chance he won’t suit up tonight. He is questionable with a hip injury. Danilo Gallinari is also questionable, after sitting out Friday night’s game with an injured foot.

    Orlando has a number of players on the injury report. Evan Fournier (hip) and Devyn Marble (eye) are both out for tonight’s game, while Dewayne Dedmon (ankle), Willie Green (back) and Tobias Harris (ankle) are all questionable.

    The Denver Nuggets will be looking to get back on track against a team that they have had success against in the past. Denver has won six of their past seven games against this Eastern foe, so this will be a great opportunity to end their road trip on a high note.

    Check in with Nugg Love later tonight to read your game recap.

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