When the Denver Nuggets traded Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks, they got a healthy return of capable, skilled players and assets. When the two situations were compared during last year’s lockout shortened season, it appeared fated that Carmelo would be saddled with a dysfunctional environment, mismatched personnel while Denver would allow Ty Lawson to run wild (and be his L-awesome self).

This year, in a post-Linsanity New York and after Denver succumbed to playoff pressure and inexperience, the Nuggets won the Andre Iguodala sweepstakes – somehow getting even more athletic and versatile, while ‘Melo rides the New York superlatives into inevitable MVP discussion.

Yet Denver struggled out of the gate with ugly losses to Orlando and Phoenix, the Manimal, Kenneth Faried struggled to get more than 20 minutes playing time, and Ty Lawson let his playoff struggles carry over into the new season.

The Nuggets have begun to right the ship, rattling off an impressive 4-game winning streak over Memphis, Minnesota, Golden State and New Orleans before losing 3 straight to Utah, Golden State and the Lakers.

They’ve been at .500 since, taking care of the bad teams (Toronto, Indiana, Detroit), while losing to the good ones (Atlanta, New York).

They have had the 5^th toughest schedule in the league, so far, and will be playing the second night of a back-to-back against a Wolves squad that has had 5 days of rest since their blowout win over Cleveland.

Nuggets probable starting lineup:

PG Ty Lawson

SG Andre Iguodala

SF Danilo Gallinari

PF Kenneth Faried

C Kosta Koufos

Lawson has begun to show signs of life for awhile now. He’s been shooting 48% from the field over his last five, but threw up a 1-10 performance in the Nuggets win last Friday in Indianapolis.

During the Nuggets last game at Target Center, Koufos blocked a Kevin Love shot, Love took issue, and their skirmish rewarded Love with a technical foul that may or may not have proven the moment that turned the tide in a 101-94 Nugget win that spoiled Love’s first game of the season and a 34-point, 14-rebound debut.

Wolves probable starting lineup:

PG Luke Ridnour

SG Malcolm Lee

SF Andrei Kirilenko

PF Kevin Love

C Nikola Pekovic

Ricky Rubio shall remain inactive tonight. As Ricky-watch drags on, Ridnour remains in the starting lineup. Shooting 52% from the field over his last 5, Ridnour has brought the offense to combat some of what he gives up to his alwaysl-quicker, always threatening opponent on defense.

Alexey Shved and Andrei Kirilenko have garnered deserved attention for their contributions to the Wolves resurgence this year, playmaking and defense foremost amongst Kirilenko’s. AK47 had 6 assists in his return to the lineup against Cleveland, to go with 3 blocks and 4 steals. Shved is growing more accustomed to the NBA 3, over his last 5 averaging 46%.

Tonight, Love could get revenge or booed. The comments made in Adrian Wojnarowski’s Yahoo! Sports article couldn’t have stranger timing. The Wolves have won 5 of their last 6, have Rubio waiting in the wings, and the team is about to embark on a markedly tougher portion of their schedule. It will be interesting to see how the team and the home crowd respond.

A

It was just a one point game at the end of the first half and at the end of the third, Team USA extended the one point lead to 26 points. According to NBC commentator and Philadelphia 76ers head coach, Doug Collins, Team USA took control of the game in the 3rd quarter on the defensive end of the floor which allowed them to have easier shots on the offensive end.

They pressured the ball very well and they certainly rotated effectively as Ginobili had great ball movement.

As the third quarter began, it was the King’s Court. LeBron James quickly got hot offensively and gave Team USA a little bit more cushion from the Argentines. But when LeBron was forced to sit down with 4 fouls, it became the Durant show. Team USA already had a somewhat solid lead on Argentina but Durant decided to extend it even further. Durant would hit three point shot after three point shot mainly within the right wing.

On one shot, Deron Williams passed the ball to Kevin Durant who was about a good 6 to 8 feet away from the Olympic 3-point line and easily drained a three point shot which excited the crowd and myself of course. From there, Team USA looked like they were playing with the Charlotte Bobcats.  And to make matters even worse, Carmelo Anthony drained a three pointer to end the quarter.

With no sportsmanship in my opinion, the youngest player on Argentina’s roster hit Carmelo on the groin as he was going up for that three pointer which Carmelo obviously didn’t feel the need to retaliate as Team USA was already up 26 at the end of the 3rd.

The 4th quarter was pretty formal when it comes to a Team USA blowout. Argentina sent their starters to the bench and Team USA rested their stars allowing rookie Anthony Davis to take the court.

To make it simple, Team USA owned the second half. In the first half, Team USA played effectively but their defense was questionable as they allowed Argentina on easy baskets under the hoop and open three pointers. Team USA allowed Argentina to score 59 points through 20 minutes of play in the first half which is obviously not a good sign for the Americans.

Kevin Durant would end up finishing with 28 points, including an 8 for 10 shooting from three, and fellow forward starter LeBron James would finish with 18 points and 5 assists. Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Kevin Love would help Team USA silently during their 3rd quarter as he got some tip in shots and also was solid on the boards. Love would finish with 13 points and 9 rebounds including 4 offensive rebounds. Kobe Bryant would go on to score 11 points and Chris Paul would finish with 17 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds. Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala would finish with 13 points and 9 rebounds through 10 minutes of action only. Carmelo Anthony would only score 5 points.

As for Argentina, they had 6 players finish in double figures led by Manu Ginobili’s 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Fellow starting guard, Carlos Delfino finished with 13 points and forward Andres Nocioni had 12 points. Off the bench, Leonardo Gutierrez, who had a solid start in the game, finished with 11 points including three 3 pointers. Phoenix Suns forward Luis Scola finished with 11 points while off  the bench big man Juan Gutierrez ended up with 12 points.

Argentina and USA are both going to enter the elimination round, which will tip off on August 8 (Wednesday). USA will be taking on Australia while Argentina will be taking on Brazil.