TNT … what does that stand for? Well for Denver so far this season it stands for The Nuggets Tank. Denver is 0-3 when appearing on Turner Network Television this season.

“But it’s just a channel,” some cry out. “It can’t possibly affect the outcome of a game.”

Hey, I’ve seen the Matrix like 12 times – as far as I’m concerned nothing that relates to machines and technology should be trusted.

Look, this is TNT – THEY KNOW DRAMA! This is the network that plays Law & Order on a constant loop. This is the network that airs Independence Day Saturday morning and again Saturday night. Can it affect an NBA game? I don’t see why not.

The road to chalking up a W on TNT doesn’t get any easier tonight for the Nuggets with the Phoenix Suns in town. A good sign for Denver could be that Charles “Around the Corner” Barkley is on a leave of absence and Denver is now 0-0 on TNT with no Barkley around! (I’ll take any break I can get.)

The Suns ironically enough are hot right now and riding a three game win streak and are 7-3 in their last 10 contests.  

The story thus far has been the recent resurgence of Shaquille O’Neal. Shaq is averaging 20.8 points and 9.8 rebounds in his last five games on 54% shooting. But perhaps even more remarkable has been the Diesel’s free throw shooting. Shaq is shooting 74% from the charity stripe over his last five games (23-31), which isn’t too shabby for a guy who has missed more free throws in his career (5,016) than Chauncey Billups has even attempted in his (3,714).

Perhaps it can be attributed to Shaq being such a force inside that it’s making it easier for his teammates, but the entire Suns team seems to be near impossible to slow down right now.

Phoenix no longer shoots the three-pointer with the frequency they did when they were the “:07 Seconds or Less” Suns, but the presence of inside forces O’Neal and Amare Stoudemire open up the floor for Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, Matt Barnes, Grant Hill and recently acquired Jason Richardson.

In his postgame interview Dallas guard Jason Terry said Denver’s defense invites teams to beat them with the three-point shot. After watching numerous wide open looks this season, I think I’ll have to agree with him. And this Phoenix team can beat you with the outside shot if they must. But slowing down O’Neal and Stoudemire on the inside will be a priority for Denver.

Second chance opportunities really hurt the Nuggs in their loss to Detroit and their win against the Mavericks. Both teams outrebounded Denver and each team was able to grab 14 offensive rebounds. That right there is how teams are able to get back into games against the somewhat undersized Nuggets. Let’s not forget that while Denver misses Carmelo Anthony on the offensive end, they also are trying to replace his 6.1 defensive rebounds per game.

Speaking of Denver on the offensive end …

Melo being hurt has so far been like when you break up with your girlfriend for no good reason. The first initial shock of it leaves you with a tremendous feeling of freedom and in a state of euphoria (Nuggets beating the Heat thanks to JR Smith’s 21 points off 8-14 shooing). And you think perhaps you will be okay. Hey, she’s not pestering you for anything and you can do whatever you want.

But after that euphoria goes away the loneliness begins to set in and suddenly you want her back (after the loss to the Pistons). Thoughts enter your mind that you made a horrible mistake and suddenly you are not ready to go it alone (JR Smith and Linas Kleiza shooting a combined 5-39 in their last two games).

Your buddies get you out of the house for a good time (Dahntay Jones and Chris Anderson combining for 31 points in the Mavs win), but you know that wont last. They are not your girl. So you are left to hope and pray that she’ll call and come back and come back in a hurry (heal hand heal).
 

Quick Notes:

• Kenyon Martin is in a mini-slump averaging 11.3 points in his last five games, he averages 12.7 ppg this season
• Denver is 0-1 vs. the Suns after a 108-101 loss on December 20 in Phoenix
• Phoenix (10-6 on the road) is 0-3 in their last three trips to Denver (15-5 at home)