Preview from Windhorst
CLEVELAND -- Pre-game from The Q:
Projected starting lineups
Denver: Chauncey Billups, Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Marton, Nene
Cavs: Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker, LeBron James, J.J. Hickson, Shaquille O'Neal
Officials
Monty McCutchen, James Capers, Mark Lindsay
• Antawn Jamison likely will not be cleared to play, the trade is still being finalized in Washington and Los Angeles. Mo Williams is also out. Leon Powe is probably not going to play. Renaldo Balkman is out for the Nuggets with a back injury.
• This is a rather large game. The Nuggets are a team that has a chance to win the West. They have beaten the Lakers twice already this season. No, they aren't the favorite, but they are a top five or six team in the league.
• Cavs have won 18 of 20, two losses were to Denver and Utah. The only team the Cavs have played and not defeated this season besides the Nuggets is the Celtics. The Nuggets did it without Anthony that night, too. The Nuggets are very successful when they run and push the tempo. The Cavs, at times, have poor transition defense and turn the ball over a lot. Keeping this under control is vital.
• Will be interesting to watch tonight whether there is any hangover effect for either team. Neither has played in a week. The Cavs just made a major trade and lost one of their best teammates. The Nuggets are playing after learning the news that coach George Karl has throat cancer. Jamison will be behind the bench. Oscar Robertson and Jerry West are being honored during the game. Going to be a wild night at The Q.