Denver Nuggets face Detroit Pistons in special game for Chauncey Billups

Denver (22-31) continues their four game road trip tonight as they are in Detroit to take on the Pistons (27-26). When the teams played three weeks ago at Pepsi Center it was an entertaining contest that saw a second half rally for the Nuggets completed by Danilo Gallinari hitting the game-winning jumper.

When

Wednesday, Feb. 10th at 5:30 p.m. MST

Where

The Palace of Auburn Hills – Auburn Hills, MI

Quick Shots – Nuggets

Danilo Gallinari has been on a tear over the past ten games as he is averaging 23 points-per-game while shooting 45.3 percent from the floor. The resurgence of Gallo this season has been a needed thing for this young and promising Nuggets team. The Italian has been averaging career highs in nearly every statistical category and will look to finish the year strong as the Nuggets fight to stay alive for a playoff birth.

Emmanuel Mudiay has also been playing well of late. He’s been noticeably improved in all areas since returning from an ankle injury last month. Over the past ten games Mudiay is averaging 12.9 points and 6.2 assists while limiting the turnovers that were a large part of his early struggles. We will certainly hope that he continues these upward trends down the stretch for Nuggets.

Coach Michael Malone does not sugarcoat anything when talking to the media. After the disappointing loss to the Nets on Monday night he was visibly upset and disappointed with his team’s performance. And while it might be easy to question why Malone feels it is necessary to publicly call out his team as frequently as he does, one cannot argue that he is fiery competitor who will not tolerate anything but players giving their all night in and night out. Which certainly bodes well for the future of this Nuggets team. Below is the post-game interview from Monday, it is worth watching.

Quick Shots – Pistons

Chauncey Billups will have his number retired tonight. While Billups is a native son of Denver, he made a name for himself in the Motor City. He wrote a very touching letter to Detroit that was featured in the Detroit Free Press this morning. I was a little choked up as I read it. I will always wish that Billups would have been able to finish out his career at home playing for the Nuggets, but the 2009 run to the Western Conference Finals that he led will always hold a special place in my heart.

Since the Piston lost in Denver they have been in a bit of a slump with a record of 4-6 over the past few weeks. Coach Stan Van Gundy was disappointed with his teams effort in Denver and is no doubt reminding his players of it today. Detroit will be hungry for a win after dropping five of their past seven games.

Final Shot

Tonight is about more than basketball with the retirement of Chaucey Billups’ jersey. It will be a special night for him as he is being honored during a game that features the two teams he spent the majority of his career with. Beyond that the Nuggets will need to respond after a disappointing loss a few nights ago will facing a hungry Pistons team that wants to honor a legend with a victory tonight.