For the first time since March 3, 2004, Kenyon Martin will face the Denver Nuggets as his opponent on the court. The Nuggets are on the road to play the Los Angeles Clippers in one of its last games before the All-Star Break. Martin has averaged five points and 4.4 rebounds over eight games so far this season.
The Nuggets' lineup will be hurting, as usual, with Ty Lawson now out with a left ankle sprain. The expected starting lineup is Andre Miller at point, Arron Afflalo at shooting guard, Corey Brewer at small forward, rookie Kenneth Faried at power forward and Timofey Mozgov at center. Rookie Julyan Stone should also see minutes at point guard.
Nene, Rudy Fernandez and Danilo Gallinari, in addition to Lawson, are either questionable or expected out until after the All-Star Break.
The Clippers and Nuggets have each won a game in the season series so far, but the Nuggets went 3-8 after that Feb. 2 victory. The Clippers have done a bit better with a 6-4 record, but they have dropped back-to-back games before Wednesday night's contest. Tony Parker dropped 30 points for the San Antonio Spurs on the Clippers while Monta Ellis put in 32 points for the Golden State Warriors on Monday night.
Still, the Clippers offer tough matches with Chris Paul and Blake Griffin, the latter to be guarded by Faried. When the two teams last met, the Nuggets had its normal starting lineup on the court. It probably won't go as smoothly this time around.
Game time/date: 8:30 p.m. MT, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012
Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA
TV: Altitude, Prime Ticket
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