Gallinari and Chandler Upgraded to Questionable

Mar 4, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) defends against Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Marvin Williams (2) defends against Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the second quarter at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
March 10, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler (21) shoots the ball against Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) during the second half at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 119-99. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Chandler and Gallinari are needed for this Nuggets squad.

Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler have missed the last couple of games for the Denver Nuggets. They drastically missed them in the last game in which they lost to the Houston Rockets. Now, Denver will travel to Houston to face them for the second consecutive game in a row.

Harrison Wind broke the news via twitter about the two key players. This is big considering the playoff implications the Nuggets face with the Trail Blazers now only one game back of the final playoff spot.

Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets

Denver needs Gallinari’s scoring especially if Nikola Jokic gets himself into foul trouble. Gallinari’s offensive rating on the year stands at 117 and he is shooting a true shooting percentage of 62%. He also possesses an offensive win share total of 5.2 to go along with an effective field goal percentage of 52.8% this year. He is also shooting 39.1% from the three point line as well.

Wilson Chandler is the most versatile player for the Denver Nuggets. He can provide the Nuggets with necessary defense and can get shots from anywhere on the floor. Chandler has a player efficiency rating that currently stands at 15.3 and is averaging 25.3 points per game per 100 possessions. Not to mention, he is also averaging a defensive rebounding percentage of 18.2% to couple with a true shooting percentage of 54%. His usage percentage currently stands at 22.7% for this season. Chandler has also increased his points per game average from 13.9 points per game from his last full season to a solid 16.1 points per game.

Without Gallinari and Chandler, the Nuggets were not able to get the necessary sources of scoring when Nikola Jokic was in foul trouble. Chandler and Gallinari need to return quickly, especially with a playoff race that looks as if it is going to come down to the wire between the Nuggets and Trail Blazers.

While they are still only questionable, if Gallinari and Chandler could possibly take the floor in Houston, it would help Denver out tremendously. It is now officially do or die time for the Denver Nuggets in their push for the post season.