2008-2009 Game 5: Denver Nuggets vs Dallas Mavericks Game Thread
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets, Nov 7, 2008 8:30 PM MST
The last time Dallas came to the Pepsi Center the Nuggets played a horrible first half and then a nearly perfect second half. After being down 70-60 at half time the Nuggets outscored Dallas 34-16 in the third quarter and then 24-19 in the fourth.
Denver and Dallas seem to play pretty tight games in Denver and they have split the two games in Denver since the 2003-2004 season up until last season where they only played in Denver once.
The Nuggets should be full of energy tonight as they are playing the first game of the second Chauncey Billups Era. Add in the fact that they are 1-3 and need a win badly and I think we will see a sharp and focused Nugget team tonight.
I will only give two keys for success tonight. Move the ball on offense and prevent Dallas, especially Erick Dampier, from dominating the offensive glass.
Those are pretty simple, but they are very important.
Melo is probably going to see every team double him and even send a third defender to his side of the floor when he has the ball. His passing out of those situations will be vital for the Nuggets to succeed on offense. It will also be vital for J.R. and Chauncey to hit their open threes or penetrate and score off of those passes.
Keeping the Mavericks off the offensive glass is obvious. Dampier’s per game stats are not that impressive, but he is a very good offensive rebounder and Nene, Kenyon and Birdman must get physical and box him out.
There will certainly be a period of adjustment for working Chauncey into the lineup, but for any of you who have played pick up ball and are used to playing with strangers a good point guard is one of the easiest players to play with. Chauncey will make the game easier for everyone and players like that are enjoyable to play with.
Look for Dahntay Jones to start again tonight and bring some defensive intensity and run the floor. Still no Juwan Howard or Antonio McDyess as the Nuggets continue to work on a resolution to the buy out of Dyess’ contract.
The Nuggets face another important early season game with against another solid team coming to town. Check out the exceptional blog Mavs Moneyball to see what Dallas fans thoughts are heading into tonight’s matchup.
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Looks like I'm alone here
In the first there were mixed signs. Melo missed a wide, wide open 3 which hurt but grabbed the loose ball and got a jam. Billups hit his first 3 a few minutes in, and we got Damp in foul trouble early. Just as Jeremy predicted, giving up offensive boards was an issue. Nene committed a defensive 3 second violation. Twice in the first! He really needs to work on that, its like the 4th time this season, we don’t need that. K-mart was completely impotent on offense and on D he combined a golatend with a foul, capping an 10-0 Dallas run. We ended nicely; LK hit his first 3 in what seems like the whole season. Martin got hurt, and we gave up an offensive rebound with a second left in the quarter to cut our lead going into the second to just 1.
Uh oh...
What’s wrong with KMart? :(
Did he get whacked in the nuts/on the wrist?
It’s really hard to tell, but he looked like he was in a lot of pain.
Billups 1-7 from the field
Martin 1-6
Anthony 3-9
Dallas have 14 offensive boards to the Nuggets 23 defensive rebounds.
A Question:
Why is Dahntay Jones getting 23 minutes and JR is getting just 11? Seriously, Dahntay can play just as well off the bench, but with JR he has to get involved early. Karl is an idiot.
What?
Dahntay is 0-1 in 23:01 with 2 rebounds.
JR is 2-4, 2 rebs, 6 points in 11 minutes. Again, why is JR not getting his minutes?
Man...
This has been a sloppy game!
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:07 PM MST reply actions
I think he's fine...
just knocked knee caps with Mr. Lankowitz.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:12 PM MST up reply actions
Dice was seeing dollar signs.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:15 PM MST up reply actions
I think I'm hearing things...
I thought they said “Great defensive play by Melo”…but I know better.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:15 PM MST reply actions
Iverson was hesitant offensively at times … trying to hard to fit in. Over-passed the ball quite a bit.
Good debut though, did a lot of things to help his team.
he has been bashful offensively this season
in his defense, when he took too many jump shots, we tore him to bits and called him selfish. if he finds the balance he’ll be unstoppable.
I think JR should be a starter!
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:19 PM MST reply actions
That was the old Nugs!
(I hope)
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:23 PM MST up reply actions
okay...
wishful thinking.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:39 PM MST up reply actions
I kind of forgot how many good players Dallas has.
They’re loaded.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:25 PM MST reply actions
Great D for the Nuggets right now. Rotating well, boarding
…and right as I say that Kidd drills 2 straight 3s
How many wide open looks can a guy get in a game?
I think Kidd is going for a record.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:26 PM MST reply actions
that went away quickly.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:36 PM MST up reply actions
FT shooting...
Is nearly flawless tonight for the Nuggets. Damn. I’ve never seen them play a game and shoot FTs as well as they are tonight.
Nugs need to pull out this win.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 10:49 PM MST reply actions
I hate it when players play for the foul and not the basket.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 11:02 PM MST reply actions
that's one thing I won't miss from AI.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 11:03 PM MST up reply actions
Definitely Oscar worthy.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 11:05 PM MST up reply actions
Kidd misses the FT. WOW!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 11:05 PM MST up reply actions
They'll get one shot here!
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 11:16 PM MST up reply actions
welcome home Chauncey!
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 11:17 PM MST up reply actions
Phew!
Some good signs, some worrying ones.
Our Nuggets like keeping things interesting don’t they?
Go Nuggets!
That’s a win over a solid team when they’ve had one practice with Billups…I’d definitely say that there are more good signs.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 7, 2008 11:19 PM MST up reply actions














