Gameday: Denver Nuggets (21-12)

The Thunder will begin the new year with a little more confidence as they are coming off a win at home, New Years Eve, against the Golden State Warriors. Its a confidence that they will have to take onto the court tonight, if they want to turn that win, into their first winning streak of the year. But it won't be easy, the Nuggets went on a scoring bananza in their four games against the Sonics last season. They averaged, AVERAGED! 143.3 points per game in those four games, including a total facebashing of the Sonics 168-116. The Sonics did manage one win in the series though, a 151-147 victory.

If you expect the Thunder to score anywhere near that many points tonight, you might want to rethink your betting strategy. The Thunder offense is improving but even 110 points is probably out of the question tonight against the Nuggets, much less 151. Make no mistake, if the Nuggets score 143 points tonight, the Thunder will have not only been handed a loss, but a royal ass kicking. Honestly though, I think its ridiculous to think even the Nuggets have a shot at scoring that much against the Thunder this season.

I'm hoping for the Thunder to carry over some momentum from the New Years Eve win, and especially their 3rd quarter efforts, to tonights game. If they can do that, there is some hope they can stay competitive tonight, but against Denver, if the Thunder come out sluggish in any of the four periods, I just don't see them being able to fight out of a big hole. But here's to the Thunder playing better basketball the past few weeks, and don't forget a little offensive help is not too far away in Nenad Krstic.