With the Raptors about to face the Nuggets we turned to longtime friend of Hoops Addict, The Nugg Doctor, to answer some questions about his team. With Denver trying to steal the final playoff spot in the Western Conference from either Dallas or Golden State look for tonight to be a huge battle for the Raptors. To help get you ready for this big game we asked the Nugg Doctor a couple questions. Enjoy!

1. Which teams are the Nuggets looking to knock out of the playoff picture?

At this point, I’m afraid to say that the Nuggets are going to need some help to get into the playoffs. Utah has shown to be a steady ship, so I think the Midwest Division is all but won by the Jazz. That then leaves the Golden State Warriors as the team the Nuggets have to knock out of the playoffs. Luckily, Denver has two critical head-to-head match-ups with the Warriors still yet to play. With that still in their favor (as far as Denver holding their own destiny is concerned), I still think they need the Warriors to lose a few games here and there for the Nuggets to sneak in to the playoffs in what has been a roller coaster of a season.

2. George Karl discussed that fatigue may be becoming a factor down the stretch. What are your observations?

Honestly, I’ve observed that George Karl likes to pass the buck a lot when it comes to this year’s Nuggets. The big purple elephant in the room is that the Nuggets have the fourth highest payroll in the league and by no means have lived up to their salaries, or for that fact of the matter, their potential. Having two All-Star starters and the reigning, and leading Defensive Player of the Year candidate doesn’t amount to a hill of beans without a playoff birth. Tired or not, the excuses are abundant, and the Nuggets have to win these last critical games or face the music of owner Stan Kroenke and their critics.

3. Talk about the importance of a player like Anthony Carter. How does he fit with the team?

Anthony Carter has had a great year. He has been there for the Nuggets in the clutch time and time again, but I stand pat on he is not what a team of this caliber needs at point guard. A team like this needs a far more steady producer who can also manage the dynamic personalities of a team like Denver. A point guard has to be the most steady guy on the team. Defensively, offensively, and emotionally. Once again, AC has played a fine season, but it was in a forced situation with the presumed starter, Chucky Atkins, plagued by groin injury that turned into a sports hernia.

AC’s main role with this team is to be an anchor. He is a good defender and an average shooter, but I think the best games by Carter are when his assists are high and his turnovers are low. Roughly translated, AC just needs to be a mistake free machine that allows the rest of the Nuggets to fill their individual obligations.

Again, a big thanks goes out to Nugg Doctor for helping Raptors fans get a preview of what’s in store tonight. Make sure you head over to his blog for more information on the Nuggets as well as a game recap following the game.