Denver (41-27) @ Orlando (43-26)

[DaFan334]

Friday, March 18th, 2011 - 5:00 PM MST - ALTITUDE

BENCH:JR - RAY - BIRDMAN - GALLO - BAD AL - FORBES - MOZGOV - KOUFUS
INJURIES: GALLO (likely - toe)

ORLANDO MAGIC STARTING FIVE:
JAMEER NELSON - JASON RICHARDSON - HEDU TURKOGLU - BRANDON BASS - DWIGHT HOWARD
BENCH: QUENTIN RICHARDSON - GILBERT ARENAS - CHRIS DUHAN - JJ REDDICK - RYAN ANDERSON


KEY MATCHUP:
VS.
Should be a tough matchup down low for the Nuggets as it always is with Dwight. The Nuggets will need to give him tough looks and force the offense away from the post. They will also need to push the pace as they have been since the trade in order to get the Magic out of their tough halfcourt defense. This should be the Nuggets best challenge yet since the trade and if they can pull off a victory, they will show that they can compete with the NBA's elite teams.

Gallinari is reported to be near healthy and expected to play. He will be limited to about 20 minutes according to coach Karl. Ill update the lineup if we get word that he will be returning in the starting lineup.

[corona]

i'm not sure how well howard defends the high p&r....but i imagine we attack that a lot.

i suspect we'll double down on howard most of the game. and seeing how tight our rotations out of doubles/scrambles have been lately, i like our chances.

[KAVK]

Attack aggressively and try to put Howard in early foul trouble.

On D Nene will face tough time that might affect his offensive game & using him as a decoy on offense while Howard is in might work. Once Howard is out there is no one down low can bang with Nene. It'll be interesting to see what Karl has in his sleeve.

Push and run. Jameer and especially Arenas has no chance to dance with our guards!

This team is like "All for one & One for all"

[Kashy_Tigray]

But there’s a possibility that Gallo could return on Friday against the Magic.

“We’ll see,” Gallinari said following the Nuggets’ afternoon practice. “We’ll talk with the trainers tonight, see how it feels after today’s practice. I had a chance to run and jump and was trying to get some contact.”

Nuggets coach George Karl said “I think he’ll play,” but noted that Gallo had seemed tentative on the left foot in some workouts. Karl said if the Italian forward does play, it would be for around 20 minutes.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/201 ... ando/3414/

[KAVK]

But there’s a possibility that Gallo could return on Friday against the Magic.

“We’ll see,” Gallinari said following the Nuggets’ afternoon practice. “We’ll talk with the trainers tonight, see how it feels after today’s practice. I had a chance to run and jump and was trying to get some contact.”

Nuggets coach George Karl said “I think he’ll play,” but noted that Gallo had seemed tentative on the left foot in some workouts. Karl said if the Italian forward does play, it would be for around 20 minutes.

http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/201 ... ando/3414/

No need to rush!

It's not like we have knife on our throat. Current rotation is doing great!

[Nugologist]

In addition to Gallo, I'd like to see Mozgov get some minutes tonight. If nothing else, our bigs are going to pick up a lot of fouls guarding Howard. What a luxury to have some depth at that position for a change.

[CanNugget]

In addition to Gallo, I'd like to see Mozgov get some minutes tonight. If nothing else, our bigs are going to pick up a lot of fouls guarding Howard. What a luxury to have some depth at that position for a change.

If GK actually decides to use it. We'll see.

[Kashy_Tigray]

GALLO IS PLAYING TONIGHT

Ready for tonight...finally back..can't wait...si torna in campo..
43 minutes ago via Twitter for BlackBerry®
Retweeted by 28 people

http://twitter.com/gallinari8888/status ... 3367311360

[Shemy]

yea was going to post this he seems ready.....Im sure Karl will take it slow with him, maybe around 20 minutes...unless he explodes

[el loco]

In addition to Gallo, I'd like to see Mozgov get some minutes tonight. If nothing else, our bigs are going to pick up a lot of fouls guarding Howard. What a luxury to have some depth at that position for a change.

If GK actually decides to use it. We'll see.

GK has hinted that the Nuggets might see quite a bit of Mozgov tonight.

[SOUL]

GOOD LUCK! love the new look nuggets!

[DrewBynum77]

IMHO Nuggets SHOULD NOT DOUBLE HOWARD EARLY IN THE GAME.

Magic have lots of chuckers and you don't want to give them confidence early in the game by doubling Howard in the first quarter. let Nene deal with him and Nene needs to sacrifice his game. He shouldn't be worried about foul trouble. If Howard gets deep in the paint in their transition Nene needs to foul him.

Today's game is the perfect game for Karl to showcase Denver's depth. Nene get in foul trouble early? Mozgov can replace him and do the same strategy until it's Birdman time to enter the game...

I'm aware Nuggets have very good rotations. For sure they can double dwight and rotate back to contest the 3s but that's a gamble against a team like orlando.

[el loco]

Harrington is out for the game tonight

[corona]

^ that makes me feel more confident.

[DrewBynum77]

^ that makes me feel more confident.

I was going to post that.

Now we know Mozgov or Koufos gonna be part of the rotation.

Oh, Kenyon needs to guard Anderson tight at the 3pt line in the first quarter. He's another chucker that becomes a god when hot so don't give him too much space early in the game.

[el loco]

Pretty sloppy start from both teams

[el loco]

Arenas and Reddick are both out according to the Howards announcers.

[KAVK]

AA nice drive

[RRFB]

Now we know Mozgov or Koufos gonna be part of the rotation.

Not necessarily. Karl could/should take the ~20 minutes Harrington has been getting and give them to Gallinari. I think whether or not Nene gets into foul trouble will dictate how much time Mozgov sees.

[KAVK]

Oh man Ty was fouled on that drive down to the middle!

I think Karl trying to offset Nene with Howard little bit.