NBA Standings 2012: Denver Nuggets Are 7th In Western Conference Standings

The Denver Nuggets shook things up on Thursday afternoon just minutes before the trade deadline passed with a three-team trade that sent veteran center Nene to the Washington Wizards and brought back 24-year old 7-footer JaVale McGee. Some saw trading Nene as a curious move for Denver, but the Nuggets clearly had second-thoughts about the $65 million contract they gave the oft-injured center this offseason.

Even so, the Nuggets are playing good basketball lately. Denver is 7-3 in its last 10 games, and defeated the Boston Celtics on Saturday. Denver heads into next week at 25-20 overall and in seventh place in the Western Conference playoff standings. The Nuggets are 8.5 games behind the first place Oklahoma City Thunder, and have a one game lead over the Houston Rockets, who sit in the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

For analysis, news and info, visit Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

VIDEO: Danilo Gallinari Nimbly Saves Pass, Makes No-Look, Behind-Back Assist

Nuggets Vs. Celtics Final Score: Double-Double From Kenneth Faried Helps Denver Win 98-91

The Denver Nuggets (25-20) grabbed their first win without C Nene, beating the Boston Celtics (23-21) in a 98-91 win.

F Kenneth Faried proved perfect from the free throw line with an 8 for 8 effort, proved dominant on the paint with 16 rebounds and proved dangerous on offense with 18 points. SG Arron Afflalo (15 PTS), SF Danilo Gallinari (20 PTS) and PF Al Harrington (11 PTS) all crossed in double digits for the Nuggets as well as the Denver offense shot for a combined 45.9 percentage.

As a whole, the team out-rebounded the Celtics with 46 boards to the Nuggets' 27 in an otherwise sloppy contest featuring a combined 35 turnovers. The Nuggets had a 14-point lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Celtics staged a furious comeback and were able to bring the game to 94-91 with under a minute remaining. Steady free throw shooting from Faried and PG Ty Lawson sealed it, though, and Denver won 98-91.

The Nuggets will be back in action on Monday evening, hosting the Dallas Mavericks at the Pepsi Center.

For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Celtics Blog and Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Celtics Score Update: Denver Leads 55-42 At Halftime

The Denver Nuggets lead the Boston Celtics 55-42 after the first periods, looking for their first win following the C Nene trade.

The Nuggets are still without C JaVale McGee, whom they received in the Nene trade, but have found some success on the shoulders of All-Star SF Danilo Gallinari (15 PTS, 3 AST, 2 REB) and F Kenneth Faried (8 PTS, 11 REB, 1 BLK). The Nuggets have more than doubled the Celtics in rebounds (28 to 12) and have proved clutch in three point attempts, hitting 45.5% from beyond the arc.

PF Kevin Garnett (10 PTS, 5 REB), PF Paul Pierce (10 PTS, 2 REB) and PR Rajon Rondo (4 PTS, 10 AST) have all hit double digits for the Celtics, but they will need to prove much better on defense in order to pull off a St. Patrick's Day win in the second half.

For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Celtics Blog and Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Celtics Vs. Nuggets: JaVale McGee Out For Denver Vs. Boston

The Denver Nuggets must wait another game for JaVale McGee to make his debut for the team. The team announced shortly before tip-off that McGee would not play in the game:

No @JaValeMcGee34 for the #Nuggets tonight against Boston. Coach George Karl hoping to get him some practice time Sunday.

The Nuggets will be without McGee until the other players involved in the trade (Nick Young, Nene and Ronny Turiaf) all complete their physicals. McGee has already passed his with the Nuggets. This will leave the Nuggets short a man once again, as the team played on Thursday just hours after the trade.

McGee is expected to be in the starting lineup once he is able to play.

For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Celtics Blog and Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Celtics Vs. Nuggets Preview: JaVale McGee May Make His Debut On Saturday

The Denver Nuggets (24-20, 13-11 home) take on the Boston Celtics (23-20, 7-12 away) at the Pepsi Center on Saturday night, and they will be hoping for a much better result than their 103-90 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday. Against OKC, a 14-point third quarter and 5-22 shooting from beyond the arc doomed Denver, but now they may get their first chance to integrate JaVale McGee into the system on Saturday.

McGee will indeed wear No. 34 for #Nuggets. Had his physical today. Unclear if he'll play Sat. Have to wait for all physicals.

— Benjamin Hochman (@nuggetsnews) March 16, 2012

McGee came over in the Nene trade with the Washington Wizards, and he brings with him a reputation of flaky play, lapses in judgment and eye-popping athleticism. He could debut in a Nuggets uniform against the Celtics, but the organization's eye is still on the bigger picture, as noted by Jeffrey Morton at Denver Stiffs:

McGee could pan out as a low-cost little-risk move for the Nuggets. My surprise with the signing of JaVale McGee (expressed yesterday) was he is not an upgrade over Nene, and with a history of knucklehead syndrome and, at times, hilariously low basketball IQ it didn't seem to make sense. Yet, if you look at it closely ... I firmly believe that the trade for McGee is more about this next off-season than it is about the player. Adding an asset that can be either kept or used in a sign-and-trade. Add to that the large amount of cap space the Nuggets cleared with Nene and Andre Miller (presumably) coming off the books ($20 million) and the low-cost signing of Wilson Chandler (5 years and in excess of $30 million - with a team option on the fifth season) and you have a veritable pu pu platter of trade-able assets that can be moved for something even bigger.

Meanwhile, Celtics captain Paul Pierce sprained his ankle against the Sacramento Kings and will be a game-time decision against Denver.

Here is some information to help you find the game:

Game date/time: 7:00 p.m. MT, Saturday, March 17, 2012

Location: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO

TV: Altitude

For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Celtics Blog and Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Thunder Final Score: Oklahoma City Runs Away From Undermanned Denver Squad

The Denver Nuggets - playing without the recently shipped off Nene for the first time - hung tight with the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder through the first half on Thursday night, but the Thunder ran away in the third quarter and defeated Denver 103-90.

Timofey Mozgov started in Nene's place (newly-acquired JaVale McGee should be ready for the Nuggets next game), but finished with just two points in 12 minutes. Andre Miller came off the bench to lead Denver's scoring efforts with 17 points, and Danilo Gallinari added 15 of his own.

Unsurprisingly, Kevin Durant 24 and Russell Westbrook 23, paced the Thunder in scoring.

Denver (24-20) will next play on Saturday, when they host the Boston Celtics.

For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Thunder blog Welcome To Loud Cityand Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Thunder Score Update: Denver Holds Slim Lead At Half

Taking on the Oklahoma City Thunder is a tall enough order in and of itself, and doing it with a shortened bench is no easy task. The Nuggets look up to it on Thursday night, however, as they lead the Thunder 51-50 at halftime.

Denver is of course playing without Nene, whom was dealt to Washington just minutes before the trade deadline on Thursday in exchange for center JaVale McGee. McGee isn't yet available for duty, so Timofey Mozgov found himself in the starting lineup.

Danilo Gallinari paced the Nuggets with 13 points, and Denver was able to reasonably contain Oklahoma City's duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, which has combined for just 22 first half points.

For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Thunder blog Welcome To Loud Cityand Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Thunder Preview: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook And Serge Ibaka Are Back For More

The last time the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder played against each other, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and Serge Ibaka proved too much for the Nuggets to handle in a 124-118 overtime thriller. In that game on Feb. 19, Durant scored a career-high 51 points, Westbrook added 40 points and Ibaka put together a 14-point, 15-rebound, 11-block triple-double. The Thunder thrived on the strength of their terrific trio, while the Nuggets -- without Rudy Fernandez (lower back strain), Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and Nene (calf) -- shared the load in every respect. Seven players scored in double figures for Denver, headlined by Arron Afflalo's season-high 27 points and Andre Miller's 21-point, 10-assist double-double.

This time around, Gallinari, Fernandez and Nene are all back in the Nuggets' lineup, while rookie Kenneth Faried has emerged as an energetic big man who might be able to limit Ibaka's production. Denver Stiffs, SB Nation's Nuggets blog, is still a bit concerned that defense could be a problem during the Thursday night rematch:

Nuggets Nation should be feeling good about the direction of the Nuggets team, but there are still underlying issuing right now. Namely, how can the Nuggets defense, one of four teams that gives up over 100 points per game, slow down the second highest scoring offense (102.5 ppg) in the league.

Of the teams that give up 100+ points, only the Nuggets have a winning record. The other three teams that give up 100+ per game? The Sacramento Kings (14-29), Washington Wizards (9-32), and Charlotte Bobcats (6-35). That is awful company. One of the reasons the Nuggets give up so many points is because of the lack of perimeter defense.

Denver (24-19) is currently the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket, while OKC (32-10) holds the top overall spot.

Here is some information to help you find the game:

Game date/time: 8:00 p.m. MT, Thursday, March 15, 2012

Location: Pepsi Center

TV: Altitude

For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Thunder blog Welcome To Loud City and Nuggets blog Denver Stiffs. For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Hawks Vs. Nuggets Final Score: Denver Gets 118-117 OT Victory

The Denver Nuggets pulled off a stunning 118-117 victory in overtime over the Atlanta Hawks in Tuesday night, boosting their record to 24-19 this season. Both teams had multiple chances to pull off the victory in late-game situations, both in regulation and overtime, and the Nuggets came up with the big stops in the game's final seconds.

Atlanta had possession trailing by one point with just 11 seconds remaining, but an attacking Joe Johnson failed knock down a wild layup with a couple seconds left. In the mad scramble for the ball after Johnson's miss, referees determined that Denver's Nene touched the ball, giving possession to Atlanta with just under four seconds remaining.

Needed one final stop to preserve the victory, the Hawks tried to surprise the Nuggets by giving the ball to Zaza Pachulia in the post, and the center ended up missing a contested shot at the rim to give Denver the win. Danilo Gallinari was there to alter Pachulia's shot at the last second.

Denver's scoring attack was quite balanced on the night, with Nene (22 points), Ty Lawson (21 points), Al Harrington (19 points) and Gallinari (19 points) all playing key roles on offense throughout the night. Atlanta got huge scoring nights from Johnson, who put up 34 points on 13-of-26 shooting, and Josh Smith, who scored 33 points on 13-of-23 shooting.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Hawks Vs. Nuggets Score Update: Overtime Is Next After Regulation Ends In Tie

After a wild end to the fourth quarter, the Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks will be going to overtime at the Pepsi Center on Tuesday night. In the final seconds, there were times when both teams looked like they were on their way to victory, but neither team could pull out the necessary stops.

Down 104-102 with nine second remaining, the Nuggets got a stunning three-pointer from the corner by Danilo Gallinari to give Denver the lead. With just 3.9 seconds remaining, a stumbling Kirk Hinrich drove into the lane and drew a silly foul from Corey Brewer.

Needing both free throw shots to get the victory for Atlanta, Hinrich ended up missing the second shot. With that, we're on the way to overtime.

For more on Lawson's injury, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Hawks Vs. Nuggets Score Update: Denver Leads 64-55 At Halftime

The Denver Nuggets have been flashing their offensive strengths as they lead 64-55 over the Atlanta Hawks going into halftime on Tuesday night. The game was an extremely tight battle through the first 22 minutes, but the Nuggets ran away with nine unanswered points in the final two minutes of the half.

After taking a 52-46 lead on a Danilo Gallinari three-pointer, the Nuggets promptly allowed the Hawks to take back the lead with a series of three-point shots. Ty Lawson returned the favor in the final minute with two long-distance shots of his own, and now Denver has the biggest lead that either team has had in the game.

Lawson was stunning from long range in the first half for Denver, scoring all 12 of his first half points by going a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the three-point line. The Nuggets also got 11 points off the bench from Al Harrington. Joe Johnson leads Atlanta with 15 points while Josh Smith has added 13 points.

For more on Lawson's injury, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Hawks Vs. Nuggets Preview: Denver Faces Atlanta For Only Time This Season

The Denver Nuggets are in the midst of a nine-game home-stand at the moment, but the Pepsi Center hasn't been as kind to George Karl's team as they were hoping. Despite playing some underwhelming competition, Denver has opened the home-stand 2-2. Things are about to get a little tougher: the Atlanta Hawks come to Denver tonight, followed by contests against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks.

The Hawks enter sixth in the Eastern Conference at 24-17. Denver is 23-19 and sixth in the West. The bottom of the Western Conference is full of contenders and the Nuggets' postseason spot is far from secure.

The game will feature Denver's top-ranked offense vs. Atlanta's stellar defense. The Nuggets average a league-leading 103.8 points per game, while Atlanta allows just 91.6 points per game, fourth best in the NBA.

Game date/time: 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Location: Pepsi Center

TV: Altitude

For more on Lawson's injury, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Power Rankings 2012: Denver Nuggets Grab No. 6 Spot In Latest SB Nation Rankings

Tom Ziller of SB Nation released his latest 2012 NBA Power Rankings on Monday, and the Denver Nuggets surprisingly snatched the No. 6 slot. Nene, Danilo Gallinari and Ty Lawson have been operating at less than 100 percent, but the team has still managed to cling to the sixth seed in the Western Conference with a 6-4 record in their last 10 games. Here is what Ziller had to say:

The Chicago Bulls Miami Heat claimed the top two spots, but for a Western Conference squads slid in before the Nuggets. The Oklahoma City thunder, Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs all separated Denver from the top of the pile, and did so in that exact order.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Grizzlies Final Score: Memphis Wins 94-91

In what was a tightly-contested game all night, the Memphis Grizzlies prevailed 94-91 over the Denver Nuggets. Five Denver players scored in double digits in the losing effort, and three of those players -- Nene Hilario, Al Harrington, Corey Brewer -- led the club with 15 points apiece.

Related: NBA Standings 2012: Denver Nuggets Hold Sixth-Best Record In The West

As a team, the Nuggets hit just 40.5% of their shots from the field, though they did get a lot of production from the free throw line (23-30). The Nuggets were much better on the boards at both ends than Memphis, but the Grizzlies shot over 50% from the field and finished +2 in the turnover category.

O.J. Mayo led Memphis with 22 points.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

NBA Standings 2012: Denver Nuggets Hold Sixth-Best Record In The West

Throughout just over 40 games, the Denver Nuggets currently hold the sixth-best record in the Western Conference at 23-18 on the season. While they're nine games out of first place in the conference, it's conceivable that they could move up a few spots in the tight standings.

While the Oklahoma City Thunder are clearly the cream of the Western Conference crop at 32-9, the No. 2 seeded San Antonio Spurs are just four games ahead of the Nuggets in the standings. A major winning or losing streak could easily send the Nuggets shooting up or down the standings given how closely the teams are packed.

Four games back of the Spurs, the Nuggets are also just 1.5 games back of the third-seeded Los Angeles Clippers, so it wouldn't take much for them to land the No. 4 seed. Denver can't get a top-3 seed without winning the division, which is basically impossible given how good Oklahoma City is.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Grizzlies Preview: Denver Looks To Continue Hot Play

Since returning from the All Star Break with the team as healthy as it had been in months, the Denver Nuggets are 4-1— with only a one-point loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers as the blemish— and have looked like the playoff team that they were playing like for much fo the season before a rash of injuries momentarily derailed the season. On Sunday they'll clash with the likewise resurgent Memphis Grizzlies, a team that they will likely be tussling with for playoff position all season.

Memphis is 11-4 over their last 15 games, having adjusted to life without star power forward Zach Randolph, including a one-point victory over the Nuggets. The team has been carried by center Marc Gasol, who is averaging 15.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game on the season, both of which are career highs. In that aforementioned loss to Memphis, Denver worked back from a 20-point deficit thanks to a huge game from Corey Brewer to take a lead with seconds left in the game. But on Memphis' final possession, Grizzlies power forward Dante Cunningham, left unbodied by an unsuspecting Kenneth Faried, tipped in a missed Rudy Gay jumper at the buzzer to give Memphis a one-point victory.

Game date/time: Sunday, March 12, 6:00 p.m. MT

Location: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colo.

TV: ALT

Odds: Denver by 6

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Hornets Recap: Nuggets Pull Out 110-97 Victory

The Denver Nuggets did not blow out the lowly New Orleans Hornets on Friday night, but steady play allowed them to outlast them in a 110-97 victory in the Pepsi Center. As often happen with the Nuggets, it was the supporting cast that carried the team, with Arron Afflalo and Al Harrington putting up huge numbers. Afflalo led the team in scoring with 28 points on 9-13 shooting, and Harrington contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds, both of which were an invaluable boost on a night in which Nene, Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari were all relatively quiet.

The Nuggets decimated the Hornets' defense for most of the night, finishing the game having shot 56% from the field despite going 6-23 from three point range. Gallinari (along with Harrington, despite his 20 points) was the main offender as it pertains to the latter, as he shot 1-5 from three, which contributed to his dismal 3-10 night from the field as he works back from injury.

Denver will take Saturday off before hosting the Memphis Grizzlies at 6 p.m. MT on Sunday night.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Hornets Score Update: Nuggets Up 79-71 After Third Quarter

The New Orleans Hornets continued to hold tight with the Denver Nuggets through the third quarter on Friday night, but the Nuggets started to pull away just a bit, taking an eight point lead into the fourth quarter. The Nuggets didn't tighten up their defense much at all, but their offense continued to be potent, putting up 29 points in frame.

Denver has been led by Arron Afflalo, who has tallied 26 points through three on 8-11 shooting from the field and 4-6 shooting from three. Only Al Harrington, who has scored 15 points, is in double figures for the Nuggets, but every player to enter the game for Denver has scored tonight, with the exception of Andre Miller. Harrington has also contributed eight rebounds, which has helped Denver take a solid rebounding edge over New Orleans after being outworked on the glass in the first quarter.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Hornets Score Update: Denver Up By Four At Half

The Denver Nuggets have been unable to shake the New Orleans Hornets on Friday night, and after being outscored by two points in the second quarter, the Nuggets go into the half up only by the score of 50-46. The are three main culprits that have allowed the Nuggets to continue to nip at Denver's heels: Denver's defense, it's three point shooting and free throw shooting.

Nuggets Vs. Hornets Score Update: Nuggets Up Six After First

A big first quarter from Arron Afflalo drove the Denver Nuggets to a 32-26 first quarter lead over the lowly New Orleans Hornets on Friday night in the Mile High City. Afflalo's 10 points led Denver, but he was helped by Nene, who added seven points in the first. But despite those two contributions, the Nuggets only led by six thanks to lackluster defense that allowed the Hornets to shoot 52% from the field and 40% from three.

Nuggets Injury Update: Rudy Fernandez, Kosta Koufos Out Vs. Hornets; Timofey Mozgov Likely Out As Well

The Denver Nuggets posted an update on the injury situation Friday, and when the team takes the court against the New Orleans Hornets, it will be without Rudy Fernandez and Kosta Koufos. Timofey Mozgov also sounds doubtful.

#Nuggest pregame injury update: @rudy5fernandez and @kostakoufos will not play. Mozgov probably out as well vs. Hornets.

— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) March 10, 2012

Related: Hornets Vs. Nuggets: "Such an enigma, these Nuggets"

Fernandez has not played in a game since Feb. 17, and this will be the 10th consecutive contest he's had to sit out. Koufos is sitting out his fourth consecutive game, and if indeed Mozgov can't go, it will be the second straight game he's had to miss. Mozgov also missed seven straight games in early-to-mid February.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Hornets Preview: New Orleans Heads To The Pepsi Center

The Denver Nuggets will have revenge on their mind tonight when they welcome the New Orleans Hornets to the Pepsi Center. The Hornets are just 5-14 on the road this season, but they defeated the Nuggets in Denver 94-81 on Jan. 9.

Denver is coming off a disappointing home loss to Cleveland on Wednesday. The Nuggets had previously won four games in a row and will try to start a new winning streak against the lowly Hornets, who enter at just 9-30 overall.

Denver is in a dogfight for the eighth playoff seed in the Western Conference and can't afford losing home games to inferior squads. This will be the third game in a nine-game homestand for the Nuggets. Denver defeated the Sacramento Kings in overtime to start off the homestand before falling to Cleveland.

Game date/time: 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 9, 2012

Location: Pepsi Center

TV: Altitude

For more on Lawson's injury, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Schedule 2012: Denver Hosts New Orleans, Memphis This Weekend

Over the weekend, the Denver Nuggets will be hosting a pair of Western Conference foes as they try to better position themselves to make the playoffs this season. It's been an up-and-down year for Denver so far, which recently lost 100-99 to the Cleveland Cavaliers to break a four-game winning streak.

At 22-18 this season, the Nuggets are essentially in the middle of the pack in the Western standings, which are dominated at the top by Oklahoma City, followed by San Antonio. After those two, nine different teams are within five games of each other, even though only six of those teams can make the postseason.

Here are Denver's upcoming games for the weekend:

Nuggets vs. New Orleans Hornets: Friday, March 9, 7:00 p.m.

Nuggets vs. Memphis Grizzles: Sunday, March 11, 6:00 p.m.

Memphis is currently in third place in the Western Conference standings, but the Grizzlies are only two games ahead of the Nuggets.

For more on Denver sports, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs.

Nuggets Vs. Cavaliers Final Score: Denver Falls 100-99 In Heartbreaker

It was a game of runs, and the Denver Nuggets just couldn't muster enough down the stretch to leave the Pepsi Center with a five-game win streak intact against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday evening.

Denver point guard Ty Lawson missed a potential game-winning layup in the waning seconds, as the blare of the final buzzer signaled an end to the six-game losing streak Cleveland brought into the night. Lawson struggled to keep command of the ball for most of the game, and finished with a game-high seven turnovers.

Sixth man Al Harrington paced the Nuggets with 22 points and eight rebounds despite being just 1-of-6 from the perimeter. Denver shot a mere 20% from behind the arc as a team in the loss, and will stay at home to play host to New Orleans on Friday.

For more on the Nuggets, check out Denver Stiffs. Also be sure to head over to SB Nation's NBA hub for more NBA coverage.

Nuggets Vs. Cavaliers Score Update: Denver Behind 79-72 After Three Quarters

Still in search of their fifth straight win, the Denver Nuggets can't seem to find footing on their home floor tonight and trail Cleveland 76-72 after three quarters at the Pepsi Center. Also looking to avoid a seven-game skid of their own, the Cavaliers, despite being 13-23 on the road this season, are doing an admirable job of showing their resiliency away from home.

The Nuggets have turned in a woeful 4-for-16 shooting performance from the three-point line thus far, and still have not been able to stop Cleveland forward Antawn Jamison, who leads all players with 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Jamison has yet to turn the ball over a single time in the game.

Denver guards Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson are the only two starters in double figures with 13 and 11 points respectively.

For more on the Denver Nuggets, be sure to check out Denver Stiffs. Also head over to SB Nation's NBA hub for more NBA coverage.

Nuggets Vs. Cavaliers Score Update: Denver Trails 57-55 At Half

In a first half where the Denver Nuggets held two separate eight-point leads, the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers managed to fight back to take a 57-54 advantage into the locker room.

Through two quarters of play, the Nuggets have simply not found an answer for containing Cleveland forward Antawn Jamison, who has a game-high 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

Al Harrington leads a balanced Denver scoring attack with 12 points, and point guard Andre Miller has also added four assists off the bench. Rookie forward Kenneth Faried, averaging 15.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in four games since the All-Star break, has just five points and four rebounds at the intermission, and has been limited to just 11 minutes due to foul trouble.

For more on the Nuggets, check out Denver Stiffs. Also be sure to head over to SB Nation's NBA hub for more NBA coverage.

Nuggets Vs. Cavaliers Score Update: Denver Leads 27-26 After One

The Denver Nuggets entered the night riding a four-game win streak, and played host to an ice cold Cleveland Cavaliers squad at the Pepsi Center in the second game of a lengthy homestand. After one quarter of play, the Nuggets cling to a slight advantage over the visiting Cavaliers 27-26.

Denver's defense yielded seven unanswered points to close the quarter, and watched as its eight-point lead dwindled away in less than a two-minute span. As many as eight Nuggets players did manage to score a point in the opening 12 minutes however, representing a level of balance that is in stark contrast with the Cavaliers, who received 14 of their 26 points from veteran forward Antawn Jamison.

Nuggets center Nene Hilario leads the way with six points in the scoring column, while Ty Lawson and Al Harrington have each chipped in five apiece.

For more on the Denver Nuggets, check out Denver Stiffs. Head over to SB Nation's NBA hub for more NBA coverage.

Cavaliers Vs. Nuggets: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

The Denver Nuggets play Game 2 of nine straight games at the Pepsi Center when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. The Nuggets streak into this game with a 4-0 record since the second half of the season began, beating Portland, Houston, San Antonio and Sacramento so far.

The Nuggets are getting stronger again with the healthy returns of Danilo Gallinari and Nene to the lineup. They are probably for the game, but Kosta Koufos and Rudy Fernandez likely won't play. Timofey Mozgov is also day-to-day after rolling his ankle against the Spurs.

The Cavaliers, meanwhile, enter this game as losers in 11 of their last 16 games and losers of six straight. This is a team that has been unable to find its druthers since February, but there could be a brighter future down the road with rookie Kyrie Irving. The frontrunner for rookie of the year, Irving averages 18.6 points, 5.1 assists and 3.4 rebounds over 32 games.

Game time/date: 7:00 p.m. MT, Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Location: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO

TV: Altitude

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Injury Update: Nene And Danilo Gallinari Probable For Wednesday's Game

On Tuesday afternoon, the Denver Nuggets posted an update on the team's injury situation, and there is some good news:

INJURY UPDATE: Gallo and Nene probable for Wednesday vs. CLE. Mozgov game-time decision. Koufos questionable. Rudy not expected to play.

— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) March 6, 2012

Related: Kings Vs. Nuggets Final Score: Denver Prevails 119-116 In Overtime

Both Nene and Gallinari returned to the lineup against Sacramento on Monday, though they played limited minutes. Prior to their return to the court, they'd both missed at least 10 straight games. Nene had six points and four rebounds against the Kings and Gallinari scored four points.

Mozgov has been limited lately with an ankle injury, and Koufos has not played in the last two games.

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Kings Vs. Nuggets Final Score: Denver Prevails 119-116 In Overtime

Riding a three-game winning streak and welcoming back Nene and Danilo Gallinari from injury, the Denver Nuggets didn't expect to need overtime to defeat the Sacramento Kings on Monday night, but that's exactly what happened. The Nuggets downed the Kings 119-116 in OT to improve to 22-17 overall and 11-8 at home. Sacramento falls to 12-26 with the loss.

Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson continued his recent stretch of stellar play by dropping 16 points, 13 assists, and seven rebounds in the win. Starting shooting guard Arron Afflalo carried the majority of the scoring load for the Nuggets, finishing with 32 points on 9-of-20 shooting. Rookie forward Kenneth Faried added 20 points and 12 rebounds on 7-of-9 shooting in the win.

Nene had six points in 16 minutes for Denver. Gallinari played 18 minutes and scored four points.

Guards Marcus Thornton and Tyreke Evans each scored 27 points to lead the Kings.

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Kings Vs. Nuggets Score Update: Denver Leads By Six After Three Quarters

The Denver Nuggets finally broke free from the Sacramento Kings in the the third quarter on Monday night, and will take a 85-79 lead into the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The game has been tightly contested throughout with shooting guard Marcus Thornton doing all he can to keep the Kings close.

Arron Afflalo has 22 points on 6-of-13 shooting for the Nuggets, numbers that include three makes from three-point range and 7-of-8 conversions from the foul line. Al Harrington has 14 points and five rebounds on 5-of-10 shooting off the bench for George Karl's team. Rookie forward Kenneth Faried has 10 points and six rebounds on 5-of-6 shooting for Denver after three quarters.

Thornton has 21 points to lead the Kings. Guard Tyreke Evans has 15 points for Sacramento, while teammate Jason Thompson has 11 points.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Kings Vs. Nuggets Score Update: Denver, Sacramento Tied At Halftime

Everyone expected a high-scoring game between the Denver Nuggets and Sacramento Kings tonight, and so far, it's been just that. Denver and Sacramento will head into halftime tied at 53 at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets are looking for their fourth straight win.

Arron Afflalo has a team-high 13 points to lead the Nuggets at the half. Al Harrington has come off the bench to score 11 points. Timofey Mozgov and Kenneth Faried each have eight points for the Nuggets.

Shooting guard Marcus Thornton has 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting to lead the King. Center Jason Thompson has added nine points for Sacramento. Francisco Garcia (eight points) and Jimmer Fredette (seven points) have also played well off the bench for the Kings.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Kings Vs. Nuggets Score Update: Denver Trails By Two After One

The Denver Nuggets welcomed back lineup stalwarts Nene and Danilo Gallinari tonight against the Sacramento Kings, but it hasn't stopped Sacramento from building a 26-24 lead at the end of the first quarter. Shooting guard Marcus Thornton and center Jason Thompson have carried the load offensively for the Kings. Thornton has 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Thompson has nine points and four rebounds.

Point guard Ty Lawson has six points to lead the Nuggets through the first quarter. Center Timofey Mozgov also returned from injury tonight, and has five points and three rebounds thus far. Al Harrington has five points on 2-of-2 shooting, while Nene has four points.

Denver is 12-of-24 from the field, while Sacramento is just 10-of-26 (38.6 percent).

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Injury Update: Nene And Danilo Gallinari May Try To Play Against Sacramento

According to the Post's Benjamin Hochman, Nene and Danilo Gallinari could be back in the lineup for the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

Sounds like Nene and Gallo will give it a shot tonight.... Maybe Timo...no Kosta and Rudy

— Benjamin Hochman (@nuggetsnews) March 6, 2012

Related: Nuggets Vs. Kings Preview: Denver Looks For 4th Straight Win

Nene hasn't played since Feb. 11, which is a span of 10 games. Gallinari, the team's leading scorer, has not played in the last 13 games.

Timofey Mozgov apparently could make his return as well, but the team will be without Kosta Koufos and Rudy Fernandez. Despite all the injury troubles, though, the Nuggets have won three games in a row. They hold a two-game lead on Minnesota for the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference.

For more updates, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Kings: PG Ty Lawson Named Player Of The Week

The Denver Nuggets starting point guard, Ty Lawson, received a notable accolade leading up to Monday night's game against the Sacramento Kings. According to NBA.com, Lawson has earned the Western Conference Player of the Week award.

Lawson averaged over 20 points and 11 assists over the course of last week, and his strong performances helped lead the Nuggets to three straight wins. The wins came as a welcome relief after a rough February in which the team posted a 5-10 record.

Here is a look at Lawson's stats through Sunday night's win:

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NBA Power Rankings 2012: Denver Nuggets Come In At No. 10

The Denver Nuggets are hoping a rough February can turn into a powerful March as a few of their most important cogs start to get healthy. The Nuggets saw how big of a difference point guard Ty Lawson can make last night in just his third game back from an ankle injury. Lawson's near triple-double (22 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds) sparked a Denver victory over the mighty San Antonio Spurs. It was the third straight win for George Karl's crew, and enough to vault them into the top ten of Tom Ziller's SB Nation NBA Power Rankings.

At 21-17, Ziller has the Nuggets at No. 10.

The Nuggets had a brutal week on the schedule coming out of All-Star ... and aced it. Kings, Cavs and Hornets this week looks much easier. Let's go streaking.

For more on Lawson's injury, stay with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets, visit Denver Stiffs. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's NBA news hub.

Nuggets Vs. Kings Preview: Denver Looks For 4th Straight Win

The Denver Nuggets host the Sacramento Kings tonight at the Pepsi Center.