On Friday night, the Nuggets lost by 10, 99-89, on the road vs. the completely banged up New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets, who have four of their best 5 players injured right now. No Chris Paul, no David West, no Peja Stojakovic, and no Bobby Jackson, yet they still run away with a victory over the Nuggets tonight.

For the Hornets, Devin Brown was the real star. He came off the bench and had a huge impact with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. Rasual Butler scored 20 points for the Hornets, as high-flying Desmond Mason chipped in 17. Tyson Chandler scored 10 points, grabbed 9 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots. Rookie big man Cedric Simmons even had a big impact, posting a near double-double with 10 points and 9 rebounds.

Allen Iverson really struggled tonight for the Nuggets. He did end up with 21 points, but he shot a horrible 6-22, and only dished 3 assists, as well as had 5 turnovers. The star for Denver tonight was Earl Boykins, who once again had a great game off the bench, going for 26 points. Rookie Yakhouba Diawara scored 14 points, DerMarr Johnson scored 10 as well as grabbed 6 boards, and Jamal Sampson (who is starting at center in place of injured Marcus Camby and Nene) grabbed 6 rebounds in just 15 minutes. Reggie Evans and Eduardo Najera each grabbed 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, but it wasn’t enough.

Player of the Game: Earl Boykins

26 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists

Next Game: Sunday (12/31/06) at home vs. Dallas at 7:00 pm MST. Note that this will be the last game the Nuggets play with the “new” ball.

On Thursday night, the Nuggets went on to beat Seattle at home in a 112-98 win. Nuggets head coach George Karl picked up his 800th career win with this victory. There were a lot of injuries and missing players for both sides. For Seattle, Rashard Lewis (hand) and Ray Allen (celebrating the birth of his second child) did not play, and Robert Swift is out for season. Danny Fortson didn’t suit up either. For Denver, there was Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith out (still serving suspensions), Marcus Camby out (finger), and Nene out. In place of Nene, Jamal Sampson got the starting spot at center.

Denver outrebounded Seattle 46-33, and they shot a higher percentage. Those two things were the top reasons Denver won the game, aside from Allen Iverson going off. Denver also got to the free throw line 7 more times than Seattle, thanks to Allen Iverson (who shot 9-12 from the line).

Leading the way for the banged up Sonics was Damien Wilkins, who finished with 26 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals. Luke Ridnour ended up with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while Earl Watson finished with 15 points and 7 assists. Second year man Johan Petro brought a lot of energy off the bench as well, and he finished with 11 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Credit needs to be given to guard Mike Wilks as well, who did a pretty solid job with guarding Allen Iverson. Defensively, Wilks did a better job on Iverson than Ridnour and Watson combined. Wilks ended up with 8 points as well.

For Denver, “The Answer” Allen Iverson was phenominal. He was scoring from everywhere and anywhere on the floor, and he made some terrific passes. Iverson finished with 44 points and 10 assists. Earl Boykins came off the bench and played fantastic once again, and the little man finished with 24 points . You want rebounding? We have that too, in Reggie Evans, who grabbed 18 boards to go along with his 9 points. Jamal Sampson got the start at center, due to Camby and Nene being injured, and he did a respectable job. Sampson finished with 7 points and 9 rebounds in just 17 minutes.

Player of the Game: Allen Iverson

44 points, 10 assists

Next Game: Tonight (12/29/06) @ New Orleans/Oklahoma City at 6:00 pm MST.

Last night, the Nuggets got the first win of the Allen Iverson era in a 116-105 home win over the young and banged up Boston Celtics. The little guys, Allen Iverson and Earl Boykins, each played outstanding games tonight, as both went for 28 points. The Nuggets really set the tempo and they got the Celtics into big time foul trouble. Denver shot 43 free throws, while Boston only had a chance to shoot 27 of them.

For Boston, some of the young guys played well. Al Jefferson continued his strong play with 16 points and 15 boards while Tony Allen did a little bit of everything with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Young Gerald Green also had a solid game with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 blocks. The young Celtics were very active, but they couldn’t get it done.

Iverson and Boykins weren’t the only bright spots for the Nuggtets:

• Reggie Evans came off the bench for a great double-double performance of 14 points and 14 rebounds.
• Nene scored 12 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and blocked 4 shots. Nene really played an excellent, physical game tonight.
• Eduardo Najera also had himself a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds), and he brought a ton of energy.

Player of the Game: Allen Iverson

28 points, 13 assists, 4 steals

Next Game: Thursday (12/28/06) at home vs. Seattle at 8:30 pm MST.

A week ago, on Wednesday (December 20th), the Denver Nuggets’ home game vs. the Phoenix Suns was postponed due to weather conditions. The game has been rescheduled, and it will be made up on February 5, 2007 at 7:00 pm MST at the Pepsi Center.

Nuggets center Marcus Camby will not be in the lineup until after the holidays due to a broken bone in his right ring finger. Losing Camby is a huge loss for Denver. He is very athletic, he’s a leader, he is a very good rebounder, he’s a very good low post defender, and he’s an excellent shot blocker. Having Camby out, along with the losses of Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith (serving suspensions for the brawl in New York) will be tough. It seems Iverson came just in time.

Camby is currently 4th in the NBA in blocks per game (2.7 bpg) and 5th in rebounds per game (11.0 rpg). Young Nene will start at center until Camby returns.