The Denver Nuggets (13-5) wrapped up their five-game road trip with a blowout win over the Sacramento Kings, but the biggest victory is the fact that they won all five of those games. A perfect road trip for the Nuggets leads them back to the friendly confines of the Pepsi Center for a Friday matchup against the Toronto Raptors (6-13).
In the last 10 games, Danilo Gallinari has stepped up his already impressive scoring numbers by pouring in 19.8 points on a sparkling 51.8 percent shooting during that span. He has scored 20+ points in three straight games, highlighted by a 37-point performance in a win against the New York Knicks and Carmelo Anthony on Saturday.
Related: Tip-In: "Preaching Patience" - Raptors' Rebuild May Take a Lot Longer Than Anticipated
After dropping eight games in a row, the Raptors have now won two straight, including an exciting double-overtime win on the road against the Utah Jazz. Here is the reaction to that win, along reaction to the possibility that Andrea Bargnani will miss more time with a strained calf:
In what has been undoubtedly the Raptors' hardest earned victory of the year, you have to applaud the effort all around. From Kleiza continuing to drive the offense without Bargnani around, to Jose Calderon stepping up and hitting clutch shots, the offense didn't completely collapse without Bargnani. On defense, James Johnson was a constant threat to block your shot and Kleiza is now providing the Raptors valuable minutes as an additional power forward.
Nevertheless, this team without Andrea Bargnani will continue to struggle. We've seen it this year already how much they miss his offense, his help and pick and roll defense, and now surprisingly, his heart.
Game day/time: Friday, Jan. 27, 2012, 7:00 p.m. MT
Location: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
TV: Altitude
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