Team really feeling Mozgov's absence
--The Nuggets really miss center Timofey Mozgov, who has missed the past five games due to a sprained left ankle. Coach George Karl doesn't believe it's any coincidence the Nuggets have lost four of those games.
"Timofey is definitely our best big guy," Karl said. "He protects the paint very well, protects the basket very well, is our best pick-and-roll defender."
Without Mozgov, Karl has been starting different lineups. He used Kosta Koufos on Saturday, and the Nuggets were able to break a five-game losing streak with a 113-109 win at Indiana. There is no timetable as to when Mozgov will return. But, fortunately for the Nuggets, he doesn't figure to be out a lot longer.
--Despite having one of the better records in the West at the time coaches voted for All-Star reserves, the Nuggets didn't get a representative for the Feb. 26 game in Orlando. Some thought point guard Ty Lawson might be selected. But he faced much competition at the position, and coaches ended up choosing three reserve point guards in Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook, San Antonio's Tony Parker and Phoenix's Steve Nash.
"(Lawson was hurt) because of the makeup of who could get votes," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "They took Parker, Nash and Westbrook and then you have (Kyle) Lowry, Ty, and some people said (Ricky) Rubio got some votes. There were too many guys, too many options."
Karl said he was "disappointed" Denver forward Danilo Gallinari wasn't selected. But Gallinari was hurt when he went down with a sprained ankle Monday, the day before votes were due by coaches. Gallinari is out until at least early March so it's not even possible he could be an injury replacement if one is needed.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"It was a great win for us... we won the game because we had more effort and energy. Now we can have a good day off and enjoy the stress of a win instead of the stress of losing." -- Nuggets coach George Karl, whose team broke a five-game losing streak by winning Saturday 113-109 at Indiana.
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