Game 11 Preview & Thread: Raptors at Nuggets (7pm MDT)
by Nate Timmons on Nov 17, 2009 2:26 PM MST
in Game Previews & Threads
192 comments
Toronto Raptors at Denver Nuggets, Nov 17, 2009 7:00 PM MST
Coming off a big win against the Los Angeles Lakers, it's time for the Nuggets to respond by taking care of a 5-5 Toronto Raptors team. Beating a high scoring team featuring Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu isn't going to be easy.
Records:
Denver: 7-3
Toronto: 5-5 (key wins: vs. Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago)
Injuries:
Denver: Anthony Carter (hip) is questionable. Kenyon Martin (knee/leg) and Ty Lawson (calf strain) are listed as day-to-day.
Toronto: Hedo Turkoglu (Hip) and Antoine Wright (ankle) both are listed as day-to-day.
The Raptors feature a team that scores the fourth highest points per game in the NBA (106.9 ppg), the good news for Denver is that they have been giving up the fifth highest points per game in the league with 105.9. The key tonight is going to be for the Nuggets to play some defense. We saw a great defensive game last Friday ... topped off with a third quarter in which Denver only gave up 8 points.
We've seen these "trap" types games before. The team is coming off a big win, they've had a lot of rest (which was needed), and Toronto will give up a lot of points. Denver cannot get into a score-fest tonight because if they do this game will be a lot closer than it should.
The Raptors have a talented roster starting off with Chris Bosh (27.7 ppg / 11.6 reb), Andrea Bargnani (19.3 ppg), Hedo Turkoglu (14.5), Jose Calderon (12.5) and Carmelo Anthony's playoff punching bag Antoine Wright (from Dallas).
We know the Raptors can score, but Denver should actually have the advantage on the boards. The Raptors average 39.4 boards per game and the Nuggets average 43.7 boards. Again, it'll be key for Denver to not allow high-percentage opportunities and use what should be an advantage on the glass to jump-start the offense. The Nuggets play at their best when their defense is creating fastbreaks and they share the ball on offense. Against the Lakers, Denver made 37 field goals and registered 28 assists on those ... that's playing as a team.
A quick note ... if you are heading to the game tonight - they will be wanding all individuals walking in. Doors will open a bit earlier tonight (5:30 p.m.) to allow fans to hopefully not have to wait in crazy lines. There will be 10 games this season at Pepsi Center (mandated by the NBA) where all individuals will be wanded and this is the first of those games.
Opposition's Take: Raptors HQ
I'm a big believer in "balance = success" in the NBA.
To me the best teams in the league have that perfect mix of O and D, and a variation of players who perform all types of functions on the court; from scoring to getting loose balls.
When the Denver Nuggets acquired Chauncey Billups last season from the Detroit Pistons, I felt that they cemented a fairly balanced group; one capable of scoring with the Lakers of the league, yet being able to bang with the Celtics as well. (Go read the rest of the preview on Raptors HQ...)
Photo courtesy of AP Photos: Frank Gunn
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Gotta win this one to keep the momentum going.
"Do not rest in defense. You can spend 24 seconds in offense on resting. If you do good enough on defense, you will be able to rest on offense."
League mandated wanding?
Oh well better safe than sorry. I hope this aint a trap game and I really hope the guys come in confident after their thrashing of the defending champs.
Let’s Go Nuggets!!!!!
In the previews
Can you post efficiency stats instead of raw numbers. I’d much rather know their points per 100 poss. and rebounding rates as opposed to ppg and rpg (which don’t reveal as much).
Thanks!
In texas and don't have league pass
Anyone have a link?
by ColoradoAggie11 on Nov 17, 2009 6:16 PM MST reply actions
Hedo and 'Toine playing? Updates?
KMart will play. TyLaw hopefully will play. but we shouldn’t rush him back. We don’t need AC right now.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
last season
denver won by over 40 points and head coach sam mitchell was fired. there is less then half the raptors on the roster from last year. hope toronto has a short memory.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Should be a tough game
but the Nuggets generally play lights out at home. Excited for a high scoring game. Just hope we can play some D.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:01 PM MST via mobile reply actions
I'm going to change that ''should'' to ''could''
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:04 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
can't see the game just game cast
but is there a reason we are not playing D and not having seemingly too many possesions?
by ColoradoAggie11 on Nov 17, 2009 7:27 PM MST reply actions
Sonny Weems in for Toronto.
Once again, J.R.’s game is so complete. Great steal.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:30 PM MST via mobile reply actions
JR is so good
one of my fav players also
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:32 PM MST up reply actions
So I saw the shit start and thought Balmkan would be a god sub to get some energy on and try to turn things around but thought it was about as likely as me coming on.
Julian from Australia
Lawson Dunk was so
sick. I live in socal and I work with a bunch of Laker fans and the were all using the excuse that the lakers were tired from back to back and the altitude. Typical laker fans always making excuses
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:35 PM MST reply actions
yea he looks good
he has some athletic talent. He just needs some coaching. Think he won the college dunk contest one year, the kid has hops
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:41 PM MST up reply actions
Hes athletic and got talent.
but i think GK didnt like him bc he would shoot like crazy. thought he was gonna take Dahntays place but we ended up trading him after summer league i believe.
we traded him and then we traded
for Afflalo and Afflalo is a major upgrade over weems. Weems would be a good depth player for injury though. He is in a good situation in Toronto because he will get playing time as we see tonight
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:43 PM MST up reply actions
Hell of a shot JR
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:40 PM MST via mobile reply actions
that was a great pass he just
messed up and then they come back and hit a 3
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:47 PM MST up reply actions
agreed Bird is not living up to his contract we gave him
I know he has had some tendentious issues but he has not looked the same this year
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:48 PM MST up reply actions
Bird getting embarrassed so far.
J.R. stroking it from 3. Transition D is really bad so far.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:48 PM MST via mobile reply actions
that sums it up JR and Melo
are keeping us in this game
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:49 PM MST up reply actions
Great block and rebound by Bird!
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:50 PM MST via mobile reply actions
so we talk bad about bird
then he makes a good play lol
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:50 PM MST reply actions
Good god J..R., you're scaring the children!
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:51 PM MST via mobile reply actions
God I love JR, he is so Good
now if we could only play some D. The former nug weems looks ok. Bird misses a layup=fail
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:53 PM MST reply actions
Bird needs to dunk that.
Don’t be a pussy, posterize someone!
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:54 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Lawson needs to look for his shot more i think
Also JR with some good post moves
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:54 PM MST reply actions
Got lucky on that.
Should have been a travel.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:55 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Got lucky on that.
Should have been a travel.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:56 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Well, the 3 fun is over.
Get back to passing.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 7:57 PM MST via mobile reply actions
JR needs to drive to the basket
more he can blow by almost anyone
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:59 PM MST reply actions
Well the whole team
needs to drive to the basket more
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 7:59 PM MST up reply actions
J.R. heading to the locker room...
That sucks…
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 8:01 PM MST via mobile reply actions
I don't really think we're playing terrible D
I just think Toronto is shooting VERY well.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 8:02 PM MST via mobile reply actions
they are getting way to many open shots
we are not rotating well
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:02 PM MST up reply actions
oh and JR has 19 points in like 9 minutes
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:06 PM MST up reply actions
Thanks
Did JR pull a muscle or something when he went out
by runningdonut on Nov 17, 2009 8:08 PM MST up reply actions
He put up a horrible 3-pointer and Karl was ticked off
Maybe he is in the dog house again (yikes), but I doubt it.
I dont
he came back really quick. Probably had to take a piss or something
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:09 PM MST up reply actions
Also didn't the lakers
score like 56 in the first half on friday and then we shut them down in the 2nd. We are starting to play better D
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:10 PM MST reply actions
Dude we are 7-3
we do not really have that big of an issue. We have also played more road games then any other team in the NBA
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:16 PM MST up reply actions
I take back what I said about playing good D.
Hell of an end of the half play by Melo.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 8:16 PM MST via mobile reply actions
D got a lot better
towards the end of the 2nd quarter. high pick and roll and rotations all improved. If we can keep up our rebounding we should have this game no prob. I really doubt they’ll shoot that well in the 2nd half no matter badly we play D.
At the game folks. Sitting behind visitors hoop a few rows. Need to challenge these raptor shots and should be good. D is key tonight like my preview said.
Droid phone rules!
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 17, 2009 8:25 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Not in CO. Verizon has superior service! Ha
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 17, 2009 8:28 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
True as a phone though
the Iphone is far superior. The droid is just a wannabe. Also you cannot talk on the phone and get on web at the same time with Verizon which AT&T has
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:31 PM MST up reply actions
I like to pay attention to who I talk to. Ha ha
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 17, 2009 8:32 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
thats fine, Verizon has good service
their phones just suck. They should have taken Apples offer when they first went to them. Biggest mistake Verizon every made. The Iphone has revolutionized the phone industry. Verizon loves to talk about their superior 3G is is the farthest thing from the truth. They also miss the capability of being on the web or checking email while talking on the phone which is a big deal to a lot of people.
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:36 PM MST up reply actions
What a mistake by Verizon ... the iPhone is king!!
Glad we got the win tonight … go read the recap!
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 17, 2009 11:43 PM MST up reply actions
and i get fine service when I am in Denver
just do not get any service at my parents property northwest of wellington
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:32 PM MST up reply actions
I so Considered getting league pass
But then I remembered I could find most games on justin.tv Just search Nuggets games, I usually find one that works well.
and i rock
the jailbroken iphone. WHICH IS BETTER than the droid.
Iphone is better then the Droid
period. I can do so much more and is way more powerful
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:32 PM MST up reply actions
jr is warming up. looks ok after going to locker room
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 17, 2009 8:31 PM MST via mobile reply actions
lol wow i was not expecting this at all
I’m watching it at http://p2p4u.net/watch-live-sports.php?id=8420&link=2 so i don’t know if it is the same feed
look at Earl on the bench
He looks like hes ready to end the game when he comes in.
Agreed x 1,000,000,000,000
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 8:50 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
Carmelo beat the entire Raptors team on that steal and run-back
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 8:57 PM MST via mobile reply actions
I hope detroit beats the lakers tonight
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 8:59 PM MST reply actions
the more the Lakers lose
the better. I think Denver realizes it can win more than 60 games this year. We need to be better at home than last year and better on the road.
maybe early to start dreaming of the one seed
but cant help it…
by Rainbow skyline on Nov 17, 2009 9:04 PM MST up reply actions
wow lawson missed both thats weird
they jinxed him
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 9:02 PM MST reply actions
Holy shit what a shot by J.R.
That takes fadeaway to another level. Bird needs to wake up. He has been dropping balls all season.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 9:03 PM MST via mobile reply actions
I love it when the floor mics pick up players
Bosh: ‘’Aw god damnit!!’’
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 9:09 PM MST via mobile reply actions
atdhe.net
whoever initially posted this website in another game thread…thank you, thank you, thank you! Now I can watch nuggets’ games whenever I want!!! (I dont live in denver)
agreed i love him passing but he should shoot more
he does not miss much when he shoots
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 9:17 PM MST up reply actions
Man, Nene is having a beastly game.
At least the stats suggest he is. How does he look to those watching the game?
they have shut the raptors down in the second half
by gnarlybroncodude on Nov 17, 2009 9:20 PM MST reply actions
J.R. is an absolute beast.
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 9:24 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Its got to be tough
playing only in garbage time games. I mean practice doesnt cut it with game speed.
I started out being a Blackjack guy before I got won over by Cosmo’s (the spicy ranch was probably the deciding factor)
I live in CO
and I’ve never been to Blackjack…
J.R. is my homeboy
by Greyson on Nov 17, 2009 9:40 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
That's not even all of it
61.5% shooting (approx.)
80% FT shooting
Only 2 Fouls
Only 2 TOs
And in only 32 minutes!
Oh, and I was actually watching the game, and the best part of it all was that he was playing aggressive and moving w/o the ball. He had a nice cut when his man left to double Melo in the post and converted an And-1 dunk.
Nene wants to be an All-Star!
I have no doubt that Bynum will be starting…but Nene wants to be there!
by GottaLoveMelo on Nov 18, 2009 8:22 AM MST up reply actions
Thats a hilarious picture up there of Hedo and Bosh!
by InboundingLobPass on Nov 19, 2009 2:54 AM MST reply actions
I thought it was sort of funny as well. "We're just hanging out having fun!"
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 19, 2009 12:17 PM MST up reply actions
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