Not too long ago, Chauncey Billups pondered the question whether the Northwest Division was the best division in the NBA.
“I think so,” Billups said. “I think we have the most competitive division out there this year.”
The Southwest Division appears stronger, with all five teams over .500, but the Northwest has four teams above .500, something that has never happened in its five-year history. And the biggest reason for the upgrade is the improved play of the Nuggets’ opponent tonight — the Oklahoma City Thunder (24-21).
“I think they are going to make the playoffs,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “All summer long, I expected them to have a great year. Now maybe they’re going a little higher than I expected. But I think right now, if I had to pick eight teams, I might put them on the playoff list. That’s how well I think they’re playing.”
Denver has won the only matchup this season, 102-93, and prevailed in two buzzer- beating finishes a season ago.
“They are a formidable opponent,” Billups said. “Especially in their building. They run, they play hard, they’re athletic. Kevin Durant is one of the best scorers in the world. They’re tough, man.”
Last season it took two Carmelo Anthony buzzer-beaters to defeat the Thunder in Oklahoma City. Tonight, the Nuggets are hoping to have their star back, who has missed the last two games because of a left ankle sprain.
“They play so hard,” Anthony said. “They were always a team that played hard.”
Led by Durant and a solid cast of young players, OKC has put itself in contention.
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
Spotlight on James Harden: The Thunder’s 6-foot-5 rookie guard out of Arizona State is doing well, averaging 9.9 points per game, fourth-best on the team though he averages just 23 minutes. He’ll participate in the rookie-sophomore game during All-Star Weekend in Dallas.
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets: The team flew to Oklahoma City after its game in Houston on Wednesday night to beat an ice storm that led to flights to Oklahoma being canceled Thursday. . . . Carmelo Anthony (ankle) is officially listed as day to day on the injury report, but he is expected to play tonight after missing Wednesday’s game at Houston. . . . In the last 10 games, guard Chauncey Billups has averaged 24.6 points, 6.5 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, but despite those stats, he wasn’t chosen as a reserve for the All-Star Game.
Thunder: The Thunder has lost five consecutive games to the Nuggets and has not beaten Denver since moving to Oklahoma City. . . . No Oklahoma City starter has more than five years of NBA experience, and only three on the roster have more than five.
Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
