New Year's Day: Clippers @ Denver (#18?)

Christmas Day was a long one for the Denver Nuggets. Instead of spending quality time with their families in the quiet and comfort of their homes, they fell victim to a good old fashioned whooping at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, who have put together something remarkable over the first 1/3 of the NBA season. 

The Nuggets have played the second toughest schedule in the league so far and have still managed to boast a record above .500 - however, they were unable to keep up with the run-and-gun Clippers who beat the Nuggets at their own game.  The Clippers have now won 17 straight games. They have two roadies prior to their Massive Friday night showdown with the Lakers, first in Denver on Tuesday night.

A preview for this matchup is needed as the Nuggets are 9-1 at home this season while the Clippers have the best road record in the league at 10-3 heading into the matchup. The Clippers only give up 92 points per game, good enough for fourth in the NBA and that becomes crucial against a team like Denver who does not have one star player to take over games when they are close. 

The Clippers will need tough-minded defense and efficient offensive execution in order to steal a victory in the Pepsi Center before they fly to Northern Cali to take on Golden State. Vinny Del Negro has his team playing great ball heading into the New Year and they will want to make sure they continue to please their coach and their owner. 

Chris Paul has his teammates thinking they can't be beat - and not in a haughty sense, but in a way that if they follow the game-plan and put their efforts to the defensive end of the ball, then there isn't a team out there that is better equipped on the floor. 

Clippers head into Denver to win their 18th in a row - and they'll complete the task.