Each night, the Clarion will choose the top game on the NBA calendar and select a winner. Keep checking out our pick every day, and let us know what you think in our comment section below.
Denver (5-0) at Miami (4-1), 7:30 p.m.
The Denver Nuggets were given a difficult task by the NBA to begin its 2009-10 season. The Nuggets have almost accomplished their mission.
Denver looks to sweep its six-game road trip with a win in Miami, but the Nuggets have to shut down Heat guard Dwayne Wade first.
Wade is averaging 29.2 points per game and looked absolutely dominant in a win over Washington on Nov. 4 with a 40-point performance. Don’t forget about Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, though. Anthony is averaging 32 points while leading the Nuggets to one of their best starts in team history.
Miami’s front-court can’t match the athleticism that the Nuggets possess. Heat center Jermaine O’Neal isn’t the defensive force that he once was and Denver center Nene Hilario is a monster in the paint. The Nuggets own a massive edge with their inside game that Miami just can’t match.
Denver is scoring 115 points a game, while the Heat are allowing opponents to score 91 points per game.
Something has to give.
I like the Nuggets in this one. Miami hasn’t defeated Denver in its last eight opportunities, and I don’t see the Heat outscoring the Nuggets high-scoring offense.
Denver 109, Miami 102