The Nets have traveled from Sacramento to Denver, where they’ll take on the Nuggets tonight to close out their four-game Western Conference road trip.
The Nets are 1-2 on the trip thus far with a win over the Clippers followed by losses to the Jazz and the Kings. New Jersey has dropped to 4-8 on the season, losing eight of its last 10 after winning its first two games of the year. Despite the recent struggles, Kris Humphries has been quite the find for Avery Johnson and the Nets. With projected starting power forward Troy Murphy spending more time nursing injuries than playing basketball this season, Humphries has had a chance to shine and has played some of the best basketball of his career. He’s started the last five games for the Nets, averaging 11.2 points and 12.4 rebounds per game and recording three double-doubles in that span. Humphries was also the leading scorer for the Nets, with 18 points, in last night’s loss in Sacramento.
Tonight, the Nets will get a close-up look at Carmelo Anthony, who’s been the subject of frequent trade rumors because of his unwillingness to sign a contract beyond this season with Denver. Many of those rumors have linked Anthony to the Nets, who in turn would give up prized rookie Derrick Favors, cap relief and draft picks. The deal was rumored to be close before the season started, but since then the talks have cooled. As long as Anthony fails to extend his current deal with the Nuggets, however, the speculation will continue, with both New Jersey and New York as two likely destinations for the superstar.
The Nuggets, meanwhile, have stumbled a bit out of the gate to a 6-6 record. Perennially one of the West’s top teams, the rumors involving Anthony and point guard Chauncey Billups leaving town, as well as an injury to starting power forward Kenyon Martin, may have ill effects on the team’s chances this year until each situation is resolved. Denver enters tonight’s action having dropped four of its last six, including a loss in its last game at Portland on Thursday night.
New Jersey Nets (4-8) Projected Starting Lineup
- PG Devin Harris: 17.3 ppg, 7.0 apg
- SG Anthony Morrow: 12.3 ppg, .458 fg%
- SF Travis Outlaw: 11.8 ppg, .468 3p%
- PF Kris Humphries: 7.7 ppg, 7.3 rpg
- C Brook Lopez: 17.0 ppg, 1.9 bpg
Denver Nuggets (6-6) Projected Starting Lineup
- PG Chauncey Billups: 14.3 ppg, 4.5 apg
- SG Arron Afflalo: 12.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg
- SF Carmelo Anthony: 24.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg, 1.5 spg
- PF Shelden Williams: 6.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg
- C Nene Hilario: 12.6 ppg, .583 fg%
(Photo courtesy of YardBarker.com)