Nuggets at Bobcats
THE STORY: The Denver Nuggets continue their season-high seven-game
road trip Friday when they meet the Charlotte Bobcats. The Nuggets have
lost three of their last four games and are losing ground in the West
playoff race. Denver is ninth in the conference, but has the same record
as the two clubs in front of it – Utah and Houston. The Bobcats have
dropped five straight and are last in the league.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Carolina (Bobcats)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (27-24): Guard Rudy Fernandez underwent successful
back surgery Thursday. Fernandez is expected to miss the remainder of
the regular season, but might be available for the playoffs. He missed a
dozen games with a lower back strain, which was aggravated against
Dallas on March 19. Fernandez averaged 8.6 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.4
assists and 1.03 steals in 31 games. If the Nuggets want to remain in
playoff contention, they’ll need to string some wins together. Denver
has lost its last six games following a victory.
ABOUT THE BOBCATS (7-41):
Michael Jordan’s Bobcats have lost 15 games by 20 or more points. "We
just got to go out there and keep playing hard and getting better,"
rookie guard Kemba Walker said. "That is all we can do right now for the
rest of the season." Walker could start Friday after guard D.J.
Augustin missed Thursday's practice with a knee injury. Augustin and
forward Tyrus Thomas (elbow) are questionable for Friday. Charlotte is
playing the first game of a back-to-back - it plays at Detroit on
Saturday.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Bobcats guard Gerald
Henderson has scored in double figures in eight of his last nine
contests and is averaging 16.3 points during the nine-game stretch.
2. Denver is 13-2 against the Eastern Conference.
3.
The Nuggets are 7-13 all-time when playing in the city of Charlotte
(including 4-10 on the road against the Charlotte Hornets).