Off the back of contrasting results in their last outings, the Denver Nuggets and the New York Knicks will go head-to-head at the Ball Arena on Tuesday morning.
The hosts head into this one off the back of a commanding victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, while the away side fell to a shock defeat against the Utah Jazz.
Match preview
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Just over 24 hours since their agonising 123-120 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, where they just about fell short of a stunning 24-point comeback, the Denver Nuggets faced off against the Lakers on Sunday.
Similar to their last outing, Michael Malone's men would go into the locker room at half time trailing once again, albeit by only six points this time around, before a stunning third-quarter display laid the foundation for an emphatic 127-102 triumph.
Unsurprisingly, Nikola Jokic was the star of the show as he tallied 34 points on 12-20 shooting from the field to go along with 13 rebounds and eight assists in his second game back since returning from a period of absence due to the birth of his child.
Despite losing three of their opening five games to start the campaign, the Nuggets now sit fifth in the Western Conference with the fewest amount of games played (15) among all the teams currently in the top nine.
The 2023 champions have put the league back on alert that they are firmly in the title running and a chance to put on a show against a fellow championship hopeful now lies in wait for Tuesday's hosts.
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After a topsy-turvy start to the NBA season, the New York Knicks appeared to have figured things out off the back of four wins on the bounce prior to their trip to the Delta Center on Saturday to face off against the Utah Jazz.
Following an even first quarter, Tom Thibodeau's men were outscored by 15 in the subsequent 12 minutes to go in at half time with a mountain to climb, but they did manage to cut the deficit to nine heading into the final quarter, where Lauri Markkanen and Collin Sexton combined for 21 points to ward off any potential comeback.
A 9-7 record after 16 games so far currently has the Knicks fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, albeit well short of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics in first and second place respectively.
Having split the first two games of their road trip evenly, the Knicks now gear themselves up for consecutive away outings against the Nuggets, the Dallas Mavericks and the Charlotte Hornets before returning to Madison Square Garden to take on the New Orleans Pelicans in early December.
Tuesday's visitors will be confident of their chances of coming out on top with three wins picked up from the last four meetings against the hosts, although their only defeat in that time did come in the most recent encounter in March.
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Team News
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Forward Aaron Gordon is still out of contention with a calf problem and will not play any part for the Denver Nuggets alongside DaRon Holmes II (Achilles tendon).
Vlatko Cancar (knee) also misses out for the home side after sustaining a sprain in his left knee which he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament last season.
Twenty-six-year-old Mitchell Robinson is currently dealing with an ankle problem and will not feature for the New York Knicks on Tuesday as he awaits his season debut.
The visitors will also have to make do with the absence of Miles McBride and Kevin McCullar Jr, who are both nursing knee injuries, while Precious Achiuwa is ruled out with a hamstring problem.
However, Achiuwa is drawing increasingly closer to making a return to action and could be back in time to suit up for his side's meeting with the Mavericks on Thursday.
Denver Nuggets possible starting five:
Murray, Braun; Porter Jr., Watson; Jokic
New York Knicks possible starting five:
Brunson, Hart; Bridges, Anunoby; Towns
We say: Nuggets to win by 4+ points
Given the quality of players on display, we are anticipating an entertaining affair with both teams going full throttle.
That said, we can also see the Nuggets doing enough to fend off the challenge of their visitors and come away with the win.
Adepoju Marvellous
