Denver Nuggets schedule 2013: Proving their place

Nov. 8 at Phoenix -- Maybe it won’t be competitive against a lowly Suns team, but you never know. Meetings between the two teams have historically produced a lot of points, but that should be especially true in 2013-14 with the Suns rebuilt to run. It’ll be an early test for the Nuggets to show that the opportunity to run won’t distract them from the kind of defense that is needed to win against veteran teams.

April 4 at Memphis -- The uptempo Nuggets and apprehensive Grizzlies face off with two contrasting styles. But under Shaw, Denver should be working on playing a brand of basketball -- defense included -- that will have success in the postseason. This will be a good test with the postseason near.

The final 12 games for the Nuggets could be described as hellish. Denver has two games each against the Spurs, Grizzlies, Rockets and Warriors. Of the four remaining games, two are equally as difficult -- the Nuggets also face the Thunder, Clippers, Pelicans and Jazz.

January is an interesting month for the Nuggets. Though the 15-game stretch is peppered with games against elite playoff teams like Miami, Indiana, Golden State, Oklahoma City and Memphis, the remaining portion of this month’s schedule is in Denver’s favor. They play the Sixers, Celtics, Jazz, Suns, Magic, Kings and Bobcats, all of whom could be smelling the lottery. The remaining games are very winnable, and they include outings against the Lakers, Cavaliers, Blazers and Raptors.

Back-to-backs: 14

Season opener: Oct. 30 at Sacramento

Home opener: Nov. 1 vs. Trail Blazers

Longest road trip: Six games (Dec. 1-9)

Longest homestand: Four games (Dec. 13-20)