Fifteen games have passed for the Golden State Warriors since the March 14 trade of leading scorer Monta Ellis and Ekpe Udoh to the Milwaukee Bucks. In this time span, the Warriors have struggled to close out games, going 3-12 since the trade and giving many of their young players more playing time at the end of the season. Recently sporting a starting lineup consisting of three rookies (Klay Thompson, Charles Jenkins, and Jeremy Tyler), the Warriors have played competitively in losing efforts.
Oracle Arena, home of the Golden State Warriors
Austin Chang
Coming off a 104-98 loss to the Utah Jazz, the Warriors will face the Denver Nuggets at home on ESPN. Typically motivated by the presence of a national television audience, the Warriors recent run of losses are helping the team's chances in retaining their first round draft pick. The Nuggets are currently tied with the Houston Rockets for the seventh and eighth playoff spots in the Western Conference.
Unlike the first season matchup on February 9, both teams will play very different lineups. While the Warriors will no longer feature Ellis, Udoh, or Stephen Curry, the Nuggets are now missing the services of Rudy Fernandez or Nene Hilario. Danillo Gallinari, while still a member of the Nuggets roster, also missed the first matchup with a left ankle sprain.
The matchup:
The Golden State Warriors will take on the Denver Nuggets at Oracle Arena located in Oakland, CA on Saturday, April 7, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. PT.
The standings:
Golden State enters the matchup having lost their last game and with a 21-33 record. They are 11-16 on their home court and have won two of their last 10 games.
Denver comes into the game having won their last game and with a 30-25 record. They are 14-13 on the road and have won five of their last 10 games.
Next three games on tap:
Following this game, the Warriors will visit the Denver Nuggets on April 9, visit the Portland Trail Blazers on April 11, and host the Dallas Mavericks on April 12.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets will host the Warriors on April 9, host the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 11, and visit the Los Angeles Lakers on April 13.
The season series:
The season series currently stands at 1-0 in favor of the Warriors.
Where to watch and listen to the game:
The game can be watched live nationwide on NBA League Pass or on ESPN.
In Golden State: CSN-BA & KNBR 680 (radio)
In Denver: KRWZ (radio)
Season statistic leaders:
Golden State: David Lee - 20.2 points per game, David Lee - 9.6 rebounds per game, Stephen Curry - 5.3 assists per game, Andris Biedrins - 0.9 blocks per game, Stephen Curry - 1.5 steals per game
Denver: Ty Lawson - 15.6 points per game, Kenneth Faried - 7.1 rebounds per game, Ty Lawson - 6.8 assists per game, Chris Andersen - 1.4 blocks per game, Ty Lawson - 1.4 steals per game
Team injuries:
Golden State: Andrew Bogut (fractured left ankle), Stephen Curry (ankle sprain)
Denver: Wilson Chandler (groin), Rudy Fernandez (strained lower back), Danilo Gallinari (broken left thumb)
Source:
Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors Game Info, NBA
More from this contributor:
'The Town Game: Two Lives, Two Paths' Featuring Oakland's 'Hook' Mitchell and Leon Powe: Fan's Pre-Release Review
Warriors Continue to Make Trades for Future by Acquiring Richard Jefferson and First-round Draft Pick: Fan's Reaction
Golden State Warriors Trade Monta Ellis in Five-Player Trade for Andrew Bogut: Fan's Reaction
Warriors will start Ekpe Udoh over Andris Biedrins for rest of season: Fan's Take
Golden State Warriors Put Up Season-low in Points, Raptors Win Low-scoring Affair: Fan's Recap
Austin is a lifelong resident of the Bay Area, lifelong basketball fan and Golden State Warriors supporter, and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow this contributor on Twitter @_austinchang.
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