Knicks at Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets recovered quickly from a rough start and look to extend their winning streak to five when they host the struggling New York Knicks on Friday. The Nuggets lost four of their first five games, but they have continued to improve on the offensive end to climb back into the top eight of the Western Conference. “We’re starting to get it,” Denver coach Brian Shaw said after the 117-110 victory at Minnesota on Wednesday. “We’re starting to build some momentum.”
Ty Lawson is leading the way for Denver, which has scored at least 100 points in 10 of the last 11 games after averaging 93.3 the first three contests. The Knicks have dropped seven straight contests, despite continued production from the NBA’s second-leading scorer Carmelo Anthony. New York had its worst offensive performance in a 93-80 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, its third loss on a four-game road trip.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (3-11): New York’s 7-foot forward Andrea Bargnani had one of his better games, recording his second double-double of the season with 20 points and 10 rebounds against the Clippers. Anthony is averaging 28.5 the last four contests and scored at least 30 in four games, but his team has been inconsistent. “We are in a dark place, and we’ve got to get out of it,” Anthony told reporters. “We have to pinpoint the problems and go from there. … We’ve got to play four quarters together, and we’ve got to do it for one another.”
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (8-6): Lawson, in his fifth season, has become a go-to player while the Nuggets are winning with balance overall. The team’s leading rebounder Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler and J.J. Hickson all average in double figures scoring while Randy Foye is scoring just under 10 per game. Nate Robinson is also averaging 12.6 points over the last five contests for Denver, making 11 of his 21 attempts from 3-point range in that stretch.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Denver G Andre Miller became the ninth player in NBA history to reach 8,000 career assists on Wednesday.
2. Knicks G J.R. Smith continues to struggle, going 3-of-9 from the field against the Clippers on Wednesday.
3. The Nuggets have won the last five against the Knicks at home.