Seventh heaven
The Nuggets are on a tear. The former whipping boys have won their past six NBL games, including a four-game winning streak to open the 2013 campaign.
A win against the Pistons will put the Nuggets in what we think is uncharted territory. NBL records are sketchy but the Nuggets have not won six, let alone seven, consecutive games this century.
The franchise had good seasons in 1991 and 1997 but was unable to string as many consecutive wins together in those years.
History in the making
The Nuggets have not beaten the Pistons since 2006. Both teams have had time out of the league since then. The Nuggets skipped the 2009 season for financial reasons and the Pistons sat out last season after making the playoffs the previous year.
They have returned this season but are not the Pistons of old. There is no Puke Lenden or Ray Cameron. Hayden Allen and BJ Anthony play for the Nuggets these days and Alex Pledger and Thomas Abercrombie are having a well-earned rest. The Pistons are ripe for the picking.
Anthony v Atkinson
According to the player power rankings, the league's two best players will go head to head in tonight's game. BJ Anthony has been invaluable for the Nuggets.
He has swivelled, twisted and dodged his way to the basket for 92 points in four games and leads the league in scoring.
Atkinson, albeit on a weaker roster, has been even more valuable for his team. He leads the league in rebounds and is also the third-leading scorer.
The 2.06m centre might find himself sandwiched between Anthony and fellow Nuggets big man Antoine Tisby all night, though. Should make for fascinating viewing.
Cathartic
The game might not amount to much of a contest. The Nuggets look too strong and have too much depth to be seriously troubled by the 2013 version of the Pistons, who were smashed 93-78 by the Nelson Giants in their most recent match.
The Nuggets overwhelmed the same opponent 92-59 at the Edgar Centre on Sunday.
But, for all those long-suffering fans who remember the painful 33-game losing streak the team endured not that long ago, sitting through a potentially one-sided match which the Nuggets win will not feel like too much of trial.
Nuggets v Pistons
Edgar Centre, tonight, 7pm
Nuggets: Antoine Tisby, BJ Anthony, Akeem Wright, Hayden Allen, Mark Dickel (captain), Brendon Polyblank, Riki Buckrell, James Ross, Matt Trueman, Luke Aston, Hayden Miller, Sam Timmins.
Pistons: Zack Atkinson, Nick Barrow, Garrius Holloman, Alexander Marco, Tai Webster, James Comer, Ana Haku, Tamaki Courtney, Alex Schnipper, Matt Lacey, Pore Hakopa.
