It’s an NBA lockout-shortened year. It’s also a leap year. And so, in 29 February days, the Nuggets have 15 February games on their rapid-fire schedule. Guess how many opponents are under .500.
Two.
Throw in the Nuggets’ constant injury situation and, as coach George Karl said, “in February, if we just win our home games, we’ll go into March in a good place.”
The Nuggets have a rare home back-to-back set Wednesday against the defending champs from Dallas and Thursday against Golden State, one of the sub-.500 teams. Phoenix, on Feb. 14, is the other.
“We’re playing at a good enough level that we might make it a really good month,” Karl said. “I think that’s the challenge — figure out the injuries, figure out the fatigue and continue to play at the level we’re playing at.
“I don’t know that if, with this schedule, it’s going to be the month where we’re going to grow up and get better. We have to sustain and compete and, when we lose, figure out why we lost and make sure we don’t give back anything that we’ve gained over the first 20-something games.
“And then March, that’s when we start building to become what we’re going to be in the playoffs.”
Heads-up play. In the first quarter Monday night at the Pepsi Center, Rockets guard Kyle Lowry punched the ball away from a Nuggets player and the ball hit teammate Samuel Dalembert in the face. But the ball bounced to the floor and was scooped up by another Rocket. At least Dalembert got credit for a steal. Now that’s using his noggin.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
