(Boulder-CO) Last week these two teams met and Coach George Karl decided to rest his starters. That game ended up being the Nuggets first loss. This week, I don’t think the Pistons are going to be as lucky. The probable starters for tonight’s game, via the Denver Nuggets media notes available at www.nuggets.com, are Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, Yakhouba Diawara, Jelani McCoy, and Eduardo Najera. And I believe the addition of the Nuggets All-Star duo is going to be enough to deliver the win this time around at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan.With preseason minutes being monitored closely by the Nuggets coaching staff, Carmelo Anthony is averaging a team-high 18.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. AI is also having a fine preseason with averages of 16.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 2.3 rebounds. Both men didn’t play in the first meeting against the Pistons.
The injury report on tonight’s game lists Linas Kleiza, Chucky Atkins, and Kenyon Martin all as questionable, but I would be very surprised to see Kenyon make an appearance in tonight’s contest simply because the Nuggets training staff will probably give him a day off to rest his knees after such a great performance last night. However, I would be surprised if Chucky Atkins doesn’t see some burn tonight as he has not played now in almost a week after re-tweaking his groin against the Pistons the first time around. Nene is also listed as “out” for tonight’s game and there is no definitive word right now as to when Big Brazil will make his preseason debut.
The Nuggets are 22-6 during the preseason since 2004 and have won 15 of their last 19 preseason contests. Including the 2003 preseason, the Nuggets have an impressive .750 winning percentage (27-9) over the last four-plus years.
I’m putting the line at five tonight and am predicting a Nuggets “revenge” victory. In whatever minutes the Nuggets big guns do play, expect a spirited effort as the preseason is now officially halfway finished.
The game is on NBATV and starts five o’clock MST. Be sure to check out these fine Detroit Pistons sites for more on tonight’s opponent.
Go Nuggets!
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