Inside the NBA | Nuggets now on a Rocky Mountain high

    In the late stages of the Western Conference battle for playoff position, one team that may have gone under the radar thus far this season, despite currently holding the second seed, are the surging Denver Nuggets. Although they are only separated from the sixth seed by four games, the Nuggets are hitting their stride at the perfect time.
    Since March 11, the Nuggets have won 12 of 13 games, including their last seven. During this 13-game span, the Nuggets are putting up 113.1 points per game and averaging close to 40 percent shooting from three-point range. Their only vulnerability is on the defensive end, where they are giving up 100.6 points per game to opponents on the year. But they have grasped the concept that their stellar offense is their defense, and it seems to be working.
    The early November trade that sent Allen Iverson to the Detroit Pistons for point guard Chauncey Billups has proven to be one of the best moves of the season for any team, and it has had the opposite effect for the Pistons. Billups, who earned the nickname "Mr. Big Shot" during his championship run with Detroit, has done nothing but produce positive results for the Nuggets all season. Averaging 18.0 points and 6.4 assists per game, Billups has brought his incredible court savvy and leadership to the Nuggets roster. He spreads the ball throughout the offense and is a deadly outside shooter when left open.
    Although Billups runs the offense from the point, the offensive flow goes through dynamic small forward Carmelo Anthony. Now in his sixth year with Denver, Anthony has become one of the NBA's elite scorers. The man who is responsible for almost singlehandedly leading Syracuse to a national championship his freshman year is averaging 22.9 points and 6.9 rebounds per game. Carmelo is a truly unique talent; standing at 6'8", 230 pounds, he has the body to post up power forwards, the athleticism to drive the lane and the outside touch to step back and shoot the three. Shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 39 percent from three-point range, 'Melo has come into his own and has blossomed since Billups' arrival in Denver.
    The biggest contributor of late is fifth-year man J.R. Smith, who has averaged 24.4 points per game since the beginning of March, almost 10 points per game higher than his season average. At 6'6", 220 pounds, the two-time dunk contest participant has a special combination of raw athleticism and shooting ability that gives the Nuggets a serious third option on the offensive end.
    Kenyon Martin and Nene, who are combining for over 26 points and almost 14 rebounds per game this season, head the Nuggets' frontcourt. Martin, the last No. 1 overall pick to stay all four years in college, has had his share of injury problems again this year but provides the Nuggets with an athletic 6'9" body who plays two or three inches taller than he is. Nene, the seven-year veteran out of Brazil, is the Nuggets' only center and has developed into a solid post option.
    If the playoffs were to start today, the Nuggets would host the Utah Jazz, another run-and-gun team that can put up over 100 points a night with ease. The Nuggets match up well with Jazz, who are led by one of the league's best young point guards in Deron Williams. Two-time All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer will present a formidable test for Martin, and athletic swingman Ronnie Brewer will match up well with Smith. The Nuggets should be able to prevail and advance to the second round, but they will absolutely need to improve their defense if they want to have a chance against the reigning Western Conference champion Los Angeles Lakers.