The Denver Nuggets had a great season last year after winning nearly every game at home and getting one of the better seeds in the postseason, but after losing to the Warriors the team blew things up and now they have a new coach and a new roster and they will start the season with a matchup against the Sacramento Kings on the road at Sleep Train Arena in a game that will starting up and streaming online from NBA.com at 10:00 pm.
The Nuggets were one of the highest scoring teams in the league last season and while they lost Andre Iguodala, the team still could be a very good offensive team, but the defense will be a question and Kenneth Faried will need to continue developing as a solid rebounding defender. Faried could end up on the trading block this season and the team brings back Ty Lawson with over 16 points per game and seven assists, while Faried was just under 10 rebounds per game to lead the team. The Nuggets have Brian Shaw in for George Karl and they could end up being one of the best home teams in the NBA once again, as they have a great atmosphere at the Pepsi Center.
The Nugs will have their home opener against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Pepsi Center at 9 pm on Friday and that should be an exciting matchup, as the Blazer open on Wednesday against the Phoenix Suns. The Kings were in fear of possibly moving to Seattle, but it looks like they will stay long term and now they have a new owner, head coach and general manager and some hope for the future with center DeMarcus Cousins as well as new owner Shaquille O'Neal.
The Nuggets play in one of the toughest divisions since they have to face the Oklahoma City Thunder and while the Blazers, Jazz and Timberwolves missed the playoffs last season, they look like up and coming teams with young talent. The Lakers took the early lead in the Pacific division with a win over the LA Clippers and both the Northwest and Southwest divisions will tip off for the first time on Wednesday as well. The Miami Heat are now 1-1 and they lost surprisingly to the Philadelphia 76ers in an exciting and high scoring game and maybe all those tanking rumors were premature. The Sixers are now 1-0 and looking good for the time being, but that will probably not last for too long.
The NY Knicks and the Chicago Bulls will play in the United Center on Thursday night and the Nuggets will have their next matchup against Portland. The Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers will play on Thursday night as well in a TNT doubleheader and the games on Friday will be exciting as well with the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets playing on ESPN and streaming on Watch ESPN.
