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 31.0 5.7 3.9 Ranks 1st in the NBA in scoring (31.0 ppg) as of 2/4. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3605.jpg[/IMGl] F 31 Nene 6-11, 260 8.9 5.7 0.8 Collected his second double-double of the season (30th career) with 13 points and 10 rebounds at Sacramento. [imgl] http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles.../65x90/3084.jpg[/imgl] C 23 Marcus Camby 6-11, 235 12.0 12.2 3.1 Posted a season-high-tying seven blocks at Sacramento, which moves him into first in the NBA in blocks (3.13). [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/4199.jpg[/IMGl] G 5 Yakhouba Diawara 6-7, 225 5.4 2.2 1.0 Ranks 3rd among rookies in three-point makes (40) and is tied for 7th among rookies in minutes per game (21.2). [imgl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3741.jpg[/imgl] G 25 Steve Blake 6-3, 172 5.2 1.7 3.5 Is shooting .447 (21-47) from three-point range since being acquired from Milwaukee on 1/11. SUNS PROBABLE STARTERS Player # Position Height Weight PPG RPG APG # of Seasons Played Notes [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3724.jpg[/IMGl] BORIS DIAW #3 F 6-8 230 10.4 4.7 5.2 4TH NBA SEASON Shooting a career-high .536 from the field and leads all NBA centers and power forwards with 5.2 assists in 2006-07? 2005-06 NBA Most Improved Player? Was one of 3 players (LeBron James, Jason Kidd) to average at least six rebounds and six assists and averaged 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.2 assists in 35.5 minutes in 2005-06. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3332.jpg[/IMGl] SHAWN MARION #31 F 6-7 228 18.4 10.1 1.6 8TH NBA SEASON Only NBA player ranked in the top 35 in points (18.4), rebounds (10.1), field goal percentage (.520), steals (2.11), blocks (1.45), double-doubles (22) and minutes (38.3) in 2006-07? One of only seven NBA players to average at least 18 points and 10 rebounds (Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Carlos Boozer, Jermaine O?Neal, Zach Randolph, Chris Bosh)? Four-time NBA All-Star (2003, ?05, ?06, ?07)? Third Team All-NBA Selection (2005, ?06)? Became just the fifth player in franchise history to score 10,000 points in a Suns uniform with 16 points scored at Lakers on Opening Night. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3607.jpg[/IMGl] AMAR? STOUDEMIRE #1 C 6-10 245 18.9 9.2 0.6 5TH NBA SEASON Ranks fourth among NBA centers in scoring (18.9, 28th in NBA) behind only Yao Ming, Eddy Curry and Jermaine O?Neal? Is one on only two NBA players (Ben Gordon) ranked in the top 40 in scoring who is averaging fewer than 32 minutes per game (31.1)? Two-time NBA All-Star (2005, ?07)? Second Team All-NBA Selection (2005). [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3467.jpg[/IMGl] RAJA BELL #19 G 6-5 210 15.1 3.2 2.3 7TH NBA SEASON Posting a career-high 15.1 scoring average for the fourth consecutive season and trails only Gilbert Arenas and Mike Miller with 112 3-pointers made? Prior to 2006-07 season, ranked tied for ninth all-time and third among active NBA players in three-point field goal percentage (.411, minimum 250 made) [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3103.jpg[/IMGl] STEVE NASH #13 G 6-3 178 19.5 3.3 11.9 11TH NBA SEASON On pace to become first NBA player to average at least 19 points (career-high 19.5) and 11 assists (career-high 11.9) in 2006-07 since Magic Johnson and Kevin Johnson (1989-90)? Will participate in the 2007 Playstation Skills Challenge for the third consecutive year on All-Star Saturday? Two-time NBA MVP (2004-05, 2005-06)? Five-time NBA All-Star (2002, ?03, ?05, ?06, ?07)?. First Team All-NBA Selection (2005, ?06). 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. DAY-TO-DAY: Marcus Camby suffered a strained left groin at Sacramento on 2/3. His status will continue to be evaluated on a day-to-day basis Reggie Evans suffered a sprained right ankle at Sacramento on 2/3 and is considered day-to-day. GAME-TIME DECISION: Allen Iverson has missed three-straight games due to a right ankle sprain suffered vs. Charlotte on 1/29. He is a game-time decision for tonight?s game. PROBABLE: Steve Blake suffered a laceration of the upper lip at Sacramento on 2/3 and is probable for tonight's game. SUNS RED CROSS REPORT Kurt Thomas (left elbow subluxation) is out. Raja Bell (inflamed left knee) is day-to-day. TONIGHT'S 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 105.3 103.7 .455.. .326 .746 44.2 23.0 8.31 5.00 16.7 SUNS..... 111.3 102.5 .499.. .399 .807 40.6 26.7 6.55 4.83 14.8
Here is additional information about the Nuggets various injuries, both bigger and smaller: <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Injury report Nuggets guard Allen Iverson, who is averaging 28.9 points, missed his third straight game because of a right ankle injury. The Western Conference all-star received treatment on his right ankle from assistant trainer Derrick Fitts in Denver on Saturday and is a game-time decision for Monday's game against Phoenix. Iverson is far from the only Nugget hurt. Anthony has a sprained and bloodied middle finger on his right hand that he badly injured against Portland last Friday. Center Marcus Camby has a left groin strain suffered in the fourth quarter Saturday and is listed as day to day. Forward Reggie Evans sprained his right ankle in the first half and is day to day. And guard Steve Blake received 12 stitches in his upper lip in the first half and has a sprained right elbow. Several Nuggets are expected to come to the Pepsi Center in the early afternoon for treatment today. "We are snake-bit," Anthony said. </div> Source
The return of C Amare Stoudemire this year has allowed the Suns to be considered by many to be the best team in the NBA. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> By Marc J. Spears Being a positive role model for kids is a goal of the Suns' Amare Stoudemire, center, who sponsors a foundation called "Each One, Teach One" that is devoted to providing proper mentoring to youth. (NBAE/Getty Images / Barry Gossage)Phoenix - The rise of the Phoenix Suns to heights the franchise has never seen depends primarily on the health of Amare Stoudemire. The Suns won 54 games and advanced to the Western Conference finals without an injured Stoudemire for most of last season. The Suns missed a major inside presence on both ends and couldn't overcome Dallas, en route to the 2006 NBA Finals, even with Steve Nash and Shawn Marion. But with their powerful center back, the fast-breaking Suns have all the ingredients needed to win the franchise's first NBA title. "We added an all-star," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said about the return of Stoudemire. "We're that much better. We have an option down inside that we didn't have last year. If people switch or people try tricky stuff, we just go to him and get easy buckets." Stoudemire also rebounded from the worst knee problems an athlete can face. The 2003 rookie of the year averaged 20.6 points during the 2003-04 season, 26 points the 2004-05 season and was a 2005 all-star. But the 6-foot-10, 245-pounder played only three games and missed the playoffs last season after having surgery on both knees. While the birth of his son was a factor, he departed USA Basketball's world championship team last summer because of knee problems. One USA teammate said Stoudemire had problems dunking in practice. "It was tough not being able to play," Stoudemire said. "I've been playing basketball pretty much my whole life. So, it's hard not playing. It's tough through the rehabilitation to get back to where I am now." Stoudemire didn't seem his old self in November, averaging 15.7 points. He has improved, averaging 20.5 points in December and 20 points in January. To celebrate being named an all-star reserve, Stoudemire scored 24 points and had a career-high 23 rebounds Thursday in a win over fellow West power San Antonio. "There might be a lot of doubters that doubt me," Stoudemire said about returning to the All-Star Game. "But I'll never doubt myself." Nash said he believes Stoudemire will continue to become a stronger force this season and is a better all-around player now than before the injury. If such is the case and Stoudemire stays healthy, the Suns will continue to outscore their foes and have as good a shot as any team of becoming champions. "We have only played together again for a few months now, so we are still working at that," Nash said. "But it's coming and he is doing other things better. He's fitting into the scheme of the offense. Playing with his teammates. Being a part of the group rather than just being with himself. It's really exciting to see him use intelligence and instincts to incorporate himself into our offense." </div> Source
Here is a more detailed update of all the Nugget's injuries, minor and more major, along with some more notes regarding the Suns / Nuggets game tonight. Due to the following, I predict the Suns to win this one. But the Nuggets could feed off the crowd and get a win. Denver Now Reeling as Phoenix Arrives for Makeup Game <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Nuggets ache at wrong time By Chris Tomasson It initially looked to be a good snow job. A Dec. 20 blizzard postponed the Nuggets' game against Phoenix. Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith, both serving suspensions, wouldn't have been available. Neither would have Allen Iverson, acquired a day earlier, nor Marcus Camby, who broke a finger two days earlier. The makeup game is tonight at the Pepsi Center. But the Nuggets are battered. "We could probably use a couple of days off," Denver coach George Karl said Sunday. Listed as game-time decisions are Iverson, who has missed the past three games with a sprained ankle, Camby, who suffered a left groin strain Saturday at Sacramento, and Reggie Evans, who suffered a sprained right ankle against the Kings. Also, Anthony has a contusion on his right middle finger that Karl said affected his play in the 94-87 loss to the Kings. Anthony shot just 7-of-25 for 20 points. "I'm hoping (Iverson and Camby are) going to try to play. I think Melo will play," said Karl, who wasn't sure about Evans. It may not be the best time to run into the Suns (37-10). They figure to be ornery after losing two of three following a 17-game winning streak. "I don't think there's ever a good time to play the Suns," Karl said. "I think they're the (NBA's) best team." Meanwhile, the Nuggets (23-22) have lost five of their past six. Karl said Anthony has a "lot of injuries" because of the difficulty of jumping right back into the lineup two weeks ago after serving a 15-game suspension. Anthony injured his left wrist Jan. 29 against Charlotte. On Friday against Portland, he banged the tip of his finger on the rim, and played with it taped Saturday. "We're snakebit, man," said Anthony, also saying after Saturday's game he'll do his best to play tonight. "The Nuggets are always snakebit. I don't know what it is. . . . We need everybody we can against (Phoenix). Whoever is there. Whoever is available." Also hurting for the Nuggets, who did not practice Sunday, is Steve Blake, who needed 12 stitches in his upper lip after he was hit Saturday by an inadvertent Ron Artest first-quarter elbow. But Blake, who returned to the game, will play tonight. As it stands now, tonight's game would be a first-round playoff preview. The Nuggets are No. 7 in the West and the Suns No. 2. If the teams do meet in the postseason, at least the Nuggets have 2 1/2 months to heal. </div> Source
