Hawks 109 - 110 Nuggets
Final
  for this game

Nuggets defense faltering again

Feb 25, 2009 - 11:27 AM Atlanta (32-24) at Denver (37-20) 9:00 p.m. EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- Defense has once again become optional for the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets look to avoid their first four-game losing streak of the season on Wednesday when they host the Atlanta Hawks.

Not known for its defense, Denver has improved slightly on that end of the court this season, allowing just over 100 points per game to rank 19th in the NBA.

However, their marginal improvement has taken a step back over the last three games as the Nuggets have surrendered at least 110 points in losing each contest.

The poor play hit a low on Monday during a 114-76 embarrassment to the defending champion Boston Celtics. The loss marked the most lopsided home defeat for Denver since moving into the Pepsi Center at the beginning of the 1999.

Chauncey Billups, who has been one of the biggest reasons for the Nuggets increased defensive effort, managed three points on 1-of-8 shooting, marking his lowest total since joining Denver in November.

Luckily for the Nuggets, the Hawks haven't scored 100 points in four of their last five games and have lost two straight contests, including a 108-89 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday.






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