Tuesday night the Nuggets will try to extend their franchise best 12 game winning streak against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets have won 2 of 3 over the Thunder this season, but both of those wins were at Pepsi Center. In the only game in Oklahoma City, the Nuggets were beaten by 20. It is a difficult place to win, but the Nuggets have to put together a better showing than that.
Ty Lawson will have to deal with Russell Westbrook. Westbrook always gets the best of Ty Lawson and shuts him down. Although Lawson did hit the game winner in the last meeting so hopefully that propels him to have a good game this time. Ty does not have to deal with him on defense since that will be Andre Iguadola's job all night. Even with Iggy on him Westbrook has scored 30 or more points in all 3 meetings.
Iguadola will face off against Thabo Sefolosha. Sefolosha is not much of an offensive player, but he has shown the ability to score when called upon. Iggy just hit the game winner in Chicago which hopefully gives him confidence going into this matchup. Iggy will have to focus much of his energy on defense, guarding Westbrook and Durant.
Gallo will face the tough challenge of attempting to guard Durant. His length matches up nice against Durant, but Durant has so many moves to create space and has the ability to take it inside. Durant is just too tough to guard and you have to know he will get his points. Gallo had a great game in the second matchup in which he hit a couple of clutch 3 pointers.
Faried will have to draw Serge Ibaka. Ibaka has taken more of a scoring role this season and has even expanded his range to the corner three. He is also a force on the boards and will get his blocked shots. Faried has to find his energy again and play with a purpose. If Faried plays with energy he can neutralize Ibaka.
Koufos and Perkins will match up, but I think Koufos will start out on Ibaka on defense since he is longer and a better defender. Perkins is not much of an offensive player, but he can shut you down on defense. However Koufos is not a go to scorer so it wont matter if Perkins shuts him down.
Kevin Martin is the Thunder's biggest scoring threat off the bench. If he is hot the Nuggets could be in trouble. He is mostly a 3 point shooter in this team and the Nuggets should not have to worry about him too much anywhere else on the court. Nick Collison is a very underrated player. He does not do much on offense, but he is a solid fundamental defensive player and rebounder. Reggie Jackson takes most of the backup point guard minutes, but Derrick Fisher has staked out his claim to some.
Wilson Chandler went off for 35 points last time these two teams met which ended up being the deciding factor in the game. The Thunder will want to shut him down this time so the Nuggets may not be able to depend on him. Corey Brewer will have to bring his usual energy for the Nuggets to win, he needs to run the Thunder off the floor.
Hopefully the Nuggets can pull off their 13th straight win, but it will be a tough one in Oklahoma City.
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