Nuggets – Kings Preview
By Matt Welch
The Denver Nuggets (39-22) haven’t played very well against sub-par teams on the road this season. Now they’ll travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings (21-49).
Jan 26, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson (3) controls the ball in the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 121-93. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
After being named the Western Conference Player of the Week, Ty Lawson scored 18 points and added 8 assists in a 104-88 victory against the Atlanta Hawks. The Nuggets have beaten the Kings both times the two teams have met this season by a combined 53 points this season. Lawson is averaging 18.5 points and 6.5 assists against Sacramento this season. The last time the Nuggets traveled to play the Kings, Javale McGee scored 19 points in just 17 minutes. The starters played an average of 25.4 minutes in that game, where the Nuggets won 122-97. Every player for the Nuggets saw playing time.
The last time out, Lawson and Andre Iguodala both scored over 20 points en route to a 121-93 victory in Denver. All of the Nuggets players saw minutes in that game, too.
The Kings are being led by Demarcus Cousins. Cousins has 17.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game this season. Isaiah Thomas led all scorers with 20 points in the first meeting in Sacramento. Last time out, the Nuggets were able to keep Cousins in check, only allowing him to score 3 points and pull down 2 rebounds in 22 minutes of work.
The Nuggets will be looking to play their run and gun game as usual and pound the ball inside the paint. For the past two games, Denver’s leading scorer has been off the bench. With Lawson and the bench playing solid, the Nuggets are hoping to win their 3rd straight road game.
Tip-off is set for 8:00 pm MT (7:00 pm PT) from the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.