One good thing about the Denver Nuggets matchup against the Phoenix Suns, one team’s losing streak will come to an end. The Nuggets are currently riding a two game losing streak (both losses were extremely embarrassing) while the Phoenix Suns have lost five straight. Both teams made huge deals right at the trade deadline, and the production of the either squad did not improve.
Denver traded Aaron Affalo to the Portland Trailblazers and Javele McGee to the Philadelphia 76ers. While Phoenix traded away both Goran and Zoran Dragic to the Miami Heat. Right now out the two lesser teams in the Western Conference, Phoenix is seen as the winner because they received point guard Brandon Knight from the Milwaukee Bucks.
“Chemistry doesn’t happen overnight,” Knight said after scoring 20 points in his second game with Phoenix, a 115-110 loss to Boston on Tuesday. “It’s not two games, three games, four games, sometimes it takes a while.”
The Suns are more optimistc about a playoff push than the Nuggets. Combo guard Eric Bledsoe is still in high spirits and knows his team has what it takes to make the postseason.
“As bad as it may seem, we’re still not out,” said guard Eric Bledsoe, who had 21 points and 10 assists Tuesday. “At the end of the day, we still gotta think positive. We got a Denver team that’s struggling just like we are, so we’re looking forward to going in and try to get a win.”
The Phoenix Suns allow a league high 116.3 points per game, the odds are in their favor as they take on a Nuggets’ team who has struggled greatly offensively throughout the year.
The Nuggets are looking to rebound after their most embarrassing loss of the season, a 110-82 bashing by the Brooklyn Nets.
“Throughout the whole season, almost every game, we cannot be consistent,” said forward Danilo Gallinari, who had 22 points. “That has been our problem and it was our problem tonight, too.”
The status of Wilson Chandler playing is still unsure, the forward had a sore groin and is doubtful for tonight’s game. Kenneth Faried is also battling a right thumb brusie but he has not been very effective. Only averaging 4.0 points per game on 28% shooting.