PROBABLE NUGGETS 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 5.8 4.1 Recorded his first career triple-double with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists vs. Phoenix on 2/5. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3437.jpg[/IMGl] F 21 Eduardo Najera 6-8, 235 6.2 4.1 0.9 Is shooting .542 (109-201) from the field this season. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3605.jpg[/IMGl] C 31 Nene 6-11, 260 9.5 5.7 0.9 Scored a career-high 27 points (12-19 FG) and added seven rebounds vs. Phoenix on 2/5. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/4199.jpg[/IMGl] G 5 Yakhouba Diawara 6-7, 225 5.4 2.1 1.0 Ranks 3rd among rookies in 3-point makes (42) and is tied for 5th among rookies in minutes per game (21.1). [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 3.7 Has handed out 31 assists over his last three games (10.3 apg) and is averaging 6.5 apg since joining the Nuggets. PROBABLE HORNETS STARTERS [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3512.jpg[/IMGl] 6 Tyson Chandler, C Height/Weight: 7-1/235 Birthdate: 10/02/1982 Birthplace: Hanford, CA College: No College NBA Experience: 5 7.5 11.5 0.8 [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3721.jpg[/IMGl] 30 David West, PF Height/Weight: 6-9/240 Birthdate: 08/29/1980 Birthplace: Teaneck, NJ College: Xavier (Ohio) NBA Experience: 3 15.4 7.9 1.8 [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3416.jpg[/IMGl] 24 Desmond Mason, SF Height/Weight: 6-5/222 Birthdate: 10/11/1977 Birthplace: Waxahachie, TX College: Oklahoma State NBA Experience: 6 [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3673.jpg[/IMGl] 23 Devin Brown, SG Height/Weight: 6-5/220 Birthdate: 12/30/1978 Birthplace: Salt Lake City, UT College: Texas-San Antonio NBA Experience: 4 12.5 5.4 3.5 [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3930.jpg[/IMGl] 3 Chris Paul, PG Height/Weight: 6-0/175 Birthdate: 05/06/1985 Birthplace: Winston-Salem, NC College: Wake Forest NBA Experience: 1 18.3 4.1 8.6 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. DOUBTFUL: Marcus Camby did not play vs. Phoenix on 2/5 due to a strained left groin suffered at Sacramento on 2/3 and is doubtful for tonight?s game. GAME-TIME DECISION: Allen Iverson has missed four-straight games due to a right ankle sprain suffered vs. Charlotte on 1/29. He is a game-time decision for tonight?s game. HORNETS RED CROSS REPORT OUT: Peja Stojakovic 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 105.3 103.9 .455.. .327 .746 44.2 23.1 8.28 4.98 16.6 HORNETS.. 90.7. 93.6 .435.. .351 .717 42.9 17.3 6.25 4.10 14.9
Iverson will attempt to play against the Hornets but will not be at full strength. His minutes will probably be limited. Camby will be out again, so Melo, who has stated that he is going to go all out for wins in the last 5 games before the all star break, will have to get alot of rebounds. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">A.I. Thinks He'll Play Wednesday, Camby Probably Not By Associated Press February 6, 2007 Allen Iverson can run just fine on his sprained right ankle. Now if the Denver Nuggets point guard could only cut on it. Iverson made it through the entire practice Tuesday afternoon on the tender ankle and remains optimistic he'll be ready for the game against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Wednesday night. Iverson has missed four straight games with the ankle injury he suffered against Charlotte on Jan. 29. ''(The ankle) bothered me on a couple cuts and drives to the basket (in practice), but that's to be expected,'' Iverson said. ''Hopefully (Wednesday) it won't stiffen up on me or swell up on me and I'll be able to go.'' A limited Iverson is better than no Iverson, at least in Denver coach George Karl's opinion. Iverson is still listed as a game-time decision. ''Allen knows we're in a position where his presence is going to help us, whatever it is, 70 percent, 80 percent,'' Karl said. ''I think his presence on the court will help us. He's a pro. He knows how to figure out what he can do, what he can't do. I think we could use him.'' The status of center Marcus Camby may be a different story. He's listed as doubtful for the Hornets game with a strained left groin. ''It feels a little better,'' said Camby, who suffered the injury against Sacramento last Saturday. Camby missed four games earlier in the season with a fractured right hand and has been playing for more than a month with it taped up. ''My hand is healing and getting better, but with groins and stuff like that you've got to be careful,'' said Camby, who's currently leading the league in blocks (3.13) and is second in rebounds (12.2). ''You've got to be smart about it.'' And while Carmelo Anthony (left wrist sprain) and Steve Blake (stitches in his lip and a hyperextended elbow) both received treatment Tuesday, neither is expected to miss the game against the Hornets. Anthony, who recorded his first career triple-double in a loss to Phoenix on Monday night, reported experiencing some soreness in his left wrist but still practiced Tuesday. The Nuggets have dropped three of four in Iverson's absence. What's more, injuries, not to mention the suspensions to J.R. Smith and Anthony, are making it difficult for this team to build any sort of chemistry. ''We wanted to see how it would've been with all of us there, but we can't cry over spoiled milk,'' said Iverson, who's averaging 28.9 points a game. ''We've got to move on to the next game.'' Iverson, who was recently named to his eight straight All-Star team, may have to adjust his game while the ankle heals. Either that or he's hoping adrenaline kicks in and he won't notice the pain when he cuts hard toward the basket. ''As far as running straight, I think I can do that all night long,'' Iverson said. ''But just cutting the way I usually do, that's the main part of my game. I'm limited in that.'' </div> Source
Nice preview, this should be an exciting game tonight. Both these teams play uptempo basketball, and the Iverson-Paul matchup is worth the price of admission alone. The JR Smith/Byron Scott subplot also adds entertainment value to tonight's game. I'm sure JR Smith wants the opportunity to prove Byron Scott gave up on him too, early, so he should come out sharp tonight. Camby and Chandler would have been a good matchup, but Nene has put together a couple of nice games with the extra playing time. Hornets don't really have anyone to matchup with Melo tonight, so I expect a big game from him.
What an ending. Honestly, the Nuggets are playing like crap, and thats being kind. They're at home and they lose to a Hornets team that's not fully healthy.
