Nuggets at Knicks
As they continue to fight for first place in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets take aim at the team occupying last place in the East when they visit the New York Knicks on Friday. The Nuggets utilized a remarkably balanced attack with five different players scoring 15 points in Thursday's 113-108 victory at Washington - their fifth win in a row.
Three others scored in double figures for Denver as it shot 52.9 percent to stay one-half game behind Golden State, which remained atop the West after defeating Indiana on Thursday. "Even though it wasn’t pretty, it speaks to our team and not being satisfied (with just reaching the playoffs)," Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who admitted he had concern that his team would have a letdown after clinching a postseason berth at Boston on Monday, told reporters. The Knicks have lost two straight contests and 10 of their last 11 as they inch closer to finishing with the worst record in the NBA. They've given up an average of 132.5 points over their last two games and let Utah shoot 56.5 percent in a 137-116 loss on Wednesday in the opener of their six-game homestand.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), MSG (New York)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (48-22): Nikola Jokic, Paul Millsap, Jamal Murray and Torrey Craig were the four 15-point scorers at Washington, and each shot 50 percent or better. Craig spearheaded an effort by four bench players who combined for 40 points on 16-of-28 shooting to go along with 13 assists against only two turnovers. "I just tried to come out and provide whatever is necessary for us to win, whether rebounding, blocking, scoring," Craig said during a postgame television interview. "Any stat I can get in order to help us win, I try to do. That's what I came out and did tonight."
ABOUT THE KNICKS (14-58): Due to injuries and ineffective play, second-year guard Frank Ntilikina has gone from a key cog in New York's rebuild to a bit of an afterthought, but the 20-year-old is hoping to finish strong as he eyes a return from a groin injury. "It might be important for you, but for me, just, I want to play basketball," Ntilikina told reporters this week when asked whether he feels pressure to impress. "I want to grow with this team, my guys. All that showing and stuff is for you guys and for the fans. Me, I hate being on the side, not playing basketball, and I just want to be out there progressing and improve with my teammates." Ntilikina, who is questionable for Friday, has not played since Jan. 27.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Knicks PG Dennis Smith Jr. (back) has missed four straight games while PF Noah Vonleh (ankle) sat out the last three.
2. Craig is averaging 14 points, 4.5 rebounds and three assists off the bench during Denver's road trip.
3. Jokic recorded 19 points, 15 assists and 14 rebounds in a 115-108 home win over the Knicks earlier this season, one of his 12 triple-doubles in 2018-19.