The good news for the Nuggets, according to their training staff, is that nearly every Denver player is expected to be available for tonight’s series opener in Oklahoma City.
The bad news: The one Nugget who will be a game-time decision is Arron Afflalo, who led the team in minutes per game this season.
The Nuggets practiced Saturday at the Pepsi Center and then flew to Oklahoma City, where they will have a shoot- around this morning. It’s possible Afflalo’s hamstring will be good enough for the UCLA product to give it a shot.
All of Afflalo’s teammates should be available to play — including Timofey Mozgov, a backup center who suffered an ankle injury April 5 and hasn’t played since.
Coach George Karl didn’t elaborate Saturday on his team’s health or Game 1 lineup, but he said he is still considering starting Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton in the backcourt. The two point guards from North Carolina have played together, to rave reviews, but never as starters.
Lawson is recovering from an ankle injury, suffered Wednesday at Utah in Denver’s last regular-season game.
“Because of the injuries, I don’t know how I’m going to start,” Karl said Saturday. “We’ll talk to them (today) and make that decision sometime (this) afternoon.”
Afflalo has been Denver’s starting shooting guard, but he’s missed much of March and April. Karl has started Wilson Chandler at Afflalo’s position, but it’s possible Karl will go with Lawson and Felton in the backcourt, Danilo Gallinari at small forward and Kenyon Martin and Nene in the post.
Asked about the Nuggets’ playoff rotation, Martin said: “I want to see how it’s going to go. I’m just as curious as the next man, because I know we have 10 guys who have been playing well.”
Key point. Regardless of whether Lawson and Felton start together, it’s possible they could finish the game together. That’s happened a lot since Felton was acquired from the Knicks. With all-star Russell Westbrook and Eric Maynor playing well for the Thunder, Karl gushed about the point guards in this series.
“The way the game is played today, point guards have as much influence as they’ve ever had,” Karl said. “It’s to the point where, if you don’t have a star player (at a different position), the game is usually pre-dicated by the point guard.”
Quotable. “I’m a big believer that the series doesn’t start until someone wins on the opposing court.” — Karl
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
Three questions
Chris Dempsey looks at three issues facing the Nuggets going into Game 1 against the Thunder:
1. Can the Nuggets push the pace? Conventional wisdom says if the Nuggets can make this a track meet, they stand a great chance of winning the series opener. Statistically, that will be reflected most in fast-break points and points off turnovers. The Nuggets have done their job if those numbers are high. Oklahoma City has been good at slowing the Nuggets and keeping them out of their comfort zone.
2. What impact will injuries have? Nene comes into the game with a strained groin. Arron Afflalo comes into the game on one leg, or maybe doesn’t play. Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton have injured ankles. Danilo Gallinari is recovering from a sprained ankle. All but Afflalo are considered good to go, but none will be 100 percent. Can they still be productive anyway?
3. What will Denver do about Kevin Durant? The Nuggets plan to rotate defensive players on the Oklahoma City star, who has a career average of 25.9 points, to keep fresh legs on him. They will play double-team defense and try to force him into turnovers. And they will pull the Kenyon Martin trump card if times get tough in the fourth quarter. But will any of it work?
Spotlight on James Harden: The second-year guard from Arizona State is a big key to the Thunder’s hopes because he can provide instant offense off the bench. That’s pretty much the role J.R. Smith plays for the Nuggets. Harden has played so well this season, he helped put Thunder management at ease about trading Jeff Green to Boston for Kendrick Perkins, bolstering the Oklahoma City frontcourt. Harden averaged 13 points and four rebounds against Denver this season. Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
