NUGGETS PROBABLE STARTERS POS. NO. PLAYER HEIGHT WEIGHT PPG RPG APG NOTABLE [imgl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3706.jpg[/imgl] F 15 Carmelo Anthony 6-8, 230 30.4 6.0 4.3 Moved into 9th on the Nuggets all-time scoring list past Antonio McDyess (6,555) vs. Utah on 2/23. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3605.jpg[/IMGl] F 31 Nene 6-11, 260 10.8 5.9 1.0 Is averaging 17.2 ppg on .575 shooting from the field in his last 10 games, all of which were starts. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3084.jpg[/IMGl] C 23 Marcus Camby 6-11, 235 11.7 11.7 3.1 Dished out five assists vs. Utah on 2/23, marking the ninth time this season that he?s had five or more assists. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3953.jpg[/IMGl] G 43 Linas Kleiza 6-8, 245 5.4 3.0 0.5 In his 13 starts this season, he has averaged 9.4 ppg and 4.1 rpg in 25.1 minutes per contest. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3094.jpg[/IMGl] G 3 Allen Iverson 6-0, 165 28.3 2.8 7.4 Tallied his 16th 30+ scoring effort of the season (eighth as a Nugget) with 33 points vs. Utah on 2/23. MAVERICKS PROBABLE STARTERS [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3252.jpg[/IMGl] Forward Dirk Nowitzki MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT% #41 7-0/245........... 36.7 25.4 9.5 3.3 0.77 0.81 2.0 .503 .421.. .903 Notes/Trends Over the last six games, averaging 28.2 points on 57.1% shooting from the floor, 46.7% shooting from 3-point range and 87.9% shooting from the line? has 33 double-doubles (35 in all of 2005-06)?also averaging 2.0 steals over the past 6 games. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3732.jpg[/IMGl] Forward Josh Howard MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT% #5 6-7/210............. 35.3 19.1 7.2 1.9 1.16 0.91 1.8 .455 .359.. .824 Notes/Trends Averaging 13.5 points over the past three games?left Miami game in fourth quarter with a sprained right ankle?Mavs 32-3 when he scores 15+ points and 20-2 when he scores 20+ (19-0 in 2005-06). [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3117.jpg[/IMGl] Center Erick Dampier MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT% #25 6-11/265......... 25.6 7.5. 7.7 0.5 0.25 1.13 1.4 .649 .000.. .625 Notes/Trends Would lead the NBA in FG% if he qualified?over his past 18 games played, shooting 74.3% (26-35 FTs) from the line after shooting 58.8% in the first 35 games?Mavs 13-1 when he scores 10+ points this season and 47-8 all-time (regular season). [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3333.jpg[/IMGl] Guard Jason Terry MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT% #31 6-2/180....... 35.1 15.8 2.9 5.4 1.00 0.20 1.8 .451 .424.. .809 Notes/Trends Over the past five games, averaging 6.0 apg?has recorded a point-assist double-double in two of the last four games and five times overall this season after having just two all of last season?Mavs 27-3 when he has 5+ assists. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3822.jpg[/IMGl] Guard Devin Harris MPG PPG RPG APG SPG BPG TPG FG% 3PT% FT% #34 6-3/185....... 25.7. 9.9 2.3. 3.8 1.11 0.30 1.9 .488 .226.. .832 Notes/Trends Has come off the bench the past five games (longest streak of not starting this season)?had best game of the month against Miami?over his past 15 games played, has 57 assists to just 14 turnovers. NUGGETS RED CROSS REPORT OUT: Kenyon Martin underwent successful surgery on his right knee on 11/15 and will miss the remainder of the season OUT: J.R. Smith suffered a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee at San Antonio on 2/20 and had arthroscopic surgery on 2/21. He is expected to be out of the lineup for three to four weeks. PROBABLE: Allen Iverson has played in Denver?s last two games after missing four straight games and eight of nine due to a right ankle sprain. He is probable for tonight?s game. MAVERICKS RED CROSS REPORT Devean George (sprained MCL in right knee) is OUT. DJ Mbenga (torn ACL in right knee) is OUT. THE MATCHUP BY THE NUMBERS KEY FOR TEAM STATISTICS: PPG Points Per Game (measures offense) OPG Opponents Points Per Game (measures defense) FG% % of All Shots Made (2's and 3's) 3PT% % of 3-Point Shots Made FT% % of Free Throws Made RPG Rebounds Per Game APG Assists Per Game SPG Steals Per Game BPG Blocks Per Game TO Turnovers Per Game ...............PPG.. OPG. FG% 3PT% FT% RPG APG. SPG. BPG. TO NUGGETS 105.1 103.9 .459 .325. .742 43.8 23.4 8.21 4.91 16.7 MAVS..... 100.1. 92.7 .462 .377. .811 42.3 19.9 6.87 5.13 13.6
It'll be a tough back-back for the Nuggets after losing last night to the Jazz. If Josh Howard misses tonight's game, the Nuggets have enough fire power to steal this game from the Mavs.
The nuggets have just not looked like a cohesive unit. They need camby to start playing down low more, and not taking jumpshots and trying to lead the break. Thats why they got AI and Blake. If the team would just worry about defense and cleaning up the boards, im sure the offense would just fall into place. Its up to Karl to preach a defense first style with this team because its the only way they can win.
Looks like Carmelo's only agenda right now is to win the scoring title this year. Melo probably needs to be traded this off season.
the mavs are playing out of their mind right now. they are on pace to win 69 games. Dirk will win MVP this year
