Game 4 Preview & Thread: Nuggets at Pacers (5pm MDT)
by Nate Timmons on Nov 3, 2009 6:15 AM MST
in Denver Nuggets: Game Previews & Game Threads
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PrintDenver Nuggets at Indiana Pacers, Nov 3, 2009 5:00 PM MST
The Nuggets find themselves at the outset of a six-game, season long, road trip. Things get under way tonight in Indiana where Denver will face an 0-2 Pacers team featuring high scoring star Danny Granger and a couple familiar faces in Dahntay Jones and Earl Watson. Oh, and Denver will have arguably the best player in the NBA going as well ... Carmelo Anthony.
"My game is speaking for myself. They see me out there hustling, diving on the floor for loose balls, playing defense, and they're going to do the same thing." -Carmelo Anthony, Denver Post
The true words of a leader. This is the play and the little talk that I've been waiting to see and hear from Melo for a long time. Just three games into a long season doesn't give us the ample sample size we fans need, but Melo couldn't have started the first three games better.
I don't know what kind of leader Melo will turn out to be, I've never thought of him as being a very vocal guy (but what do I know with my limited access?) ... but I knew that if Melo would lead by example then his teammates would follow. Just as he stated ... style of play is contagious. When you play basketball with guys who shoot the ball every time they touch it ... it forces you to do the same thing so you can get your shots. When you play with guys who are lazy on defense you tend to let up a little bit as well. But when you play with guys who are intense and going 100% ... it forces you to step up your level of play to match your teammates. We are all in for a wild ride and we're going to find out just how far Melo plans on taking us as the season unfolds.
The Nuggets will get a much needed energy boost on this six-game road trip as J.R. Smith will return to action and join the team Tuesday, November 10th in Chicago to face the Bulls. The current road trip will make stops in Indiana (tonight), New Jersey, Miami, Atlanta, Chicago and Milwaukee before returning home to face the Lakers in a nationally televised game on ESPN.
Smith's presence and scoring have been deeply missed by the Nuggets, even though Melo has made every attempt to mask the Nuggets offensive troubles with his brilliant play, and it'll be great to see what Denver can do at full strength. First though, the Nuggets face a Pacers team that can score in bunches, features a lot of movement on the offensive end, and has a legitimate 7'2'' Roy Hibbert patrolling the paint (I'm sure Ty Lawson remembers him).
These two teams are familiar with each other from their preseason games overseas, so there should be little in the way of surprises come tipoff.
Just two games into their season the Pacers identity has been: get the ball to Granger and let him go to work as he's averaging 19 shots per game and leading the team in scoring with 26.5 point per game (ppg). The Pacers second leading scorer, Troy Murphy (13 ppg), is a tough cover for the Nuggets. Last year Murphy averaged 18.5 ppg against Denver and shot 46% from three-point land in two games ... well above his 14.3 ppg average on the season. Murphy can stretch the floor and takes plenty of three-pointers ... sort of like what Raef LaFrentz should have been. Speaking of former Nuggets, Dahntay Jones will face his old teammates and has a new role with the Pacers.
Jones has been coming off the bench for Indiana as former Kansas standout Brandon Rush has earned the starting role at shooting guard. In just two games Jones is averaging 11.5 points on 6-18 shooting (11-11 from the foul line), but he has yet to launch his first three-pointer as a Pacer. In his debut against the Atlanta Hawks Jones played 26 minutes, scored 17 points and pulled down 5 rebounds.
Another couple of interesting players for the Pacers are form of Earl Watson (former Nugget) and Luther Head (who some fans of this site wanted the Nuggets to sign). But the guy I wanted to see, Jeff Foster, will miss the game with a high ankle sprain suffered in the first quarter against the Miami Heat on October 30th. Along with Foster, Mike Dunleavy (knee) and Tyler Hansbrough (right shin) will also miss the game, for those of you keeping track at home that's roughly $17.5 million in inactive payroll ... OUCH. So, Ty Lawson will not get to face his former North Carolina teammate as Hansbrough isn't expected to make his NBA debut until at least the end of the week against the Washington Wizards.
Speaking of Lawson, the quick guard will get a nice matchup as he should see some minutes opposite of 6'0'' 165 pound T.J. Ford. Guarding Ford should be a touch more favorable than facing the likes of 6'6'' wiry framed Rudy Fernandez. Ford has been a bit limited with a hamstring issue, but has played in both games this season averaging just 22 minutes per game.
On paper, Denver wins this game going away. The Pacers haven't played a game since last Friday (Oct. 30) and that could prove to make them rusty or it may provide for adequate rest for a team battling injury bugs already this season. But being at home and being the underdog is motivation enough. This is one of those games that Denver may have snuck up on teams in the past, but the Pacers will be gunning for the Nuggets as they are one of the five teams left in the NBA with an unblemished record.
The Nuggets should exploit the young Hibbert in the middle and try to get him into early foul trouble, which he's prone to. Outside of Hibbert and Murphy the Pacers don't have a lot of height or depth since Hansbrough and Foster are both hurt ... though 6'10'' Solomon Jones will play some meaningful minutes off the bench.
Melo will be tasked with covering Granger and it should be a heck of a matchup. Last year Granger poured 36 points on Denver in the lone game he faced the Nuggets. Melo's improved focus on the defensive end will be put to the test by Granger; this should be a statement game for Melo on the defensive side.
It'll be important for the Nuggets to start the road trip out with a win as this game marks the second set of back-to-backs for the Nuggets. Denver travels to New Jersey after the game for a matchup with the Nets the following night ... the first game is always key as it's always harder to win the second game of a back-to-back.
And as the saying got familiar last season ... In Billups We Trust ... it's Melo who is earning that slogan this season with his inspired play.
Opposition's take: Indy Cornrows
ntimmons73@yahoo.com
Image courtesy of AP Photos, Patrick Semansky
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I hope my internet stops trippin...
So I can watch this game on League Pass BB. I was pissed I was missing the Grizzly game.
Chicago Milwaukee
JR Smith will be back just in time. I don’t know when we last won in Milwaukee or Chicago, but we definitely didn’t last year. To get just one of those two games would be satisfactory.
My media guide comes in handy here ...
Our last win in Milwaukee came on February 10, 2007: 109-102. Melo scored 29 for the Nuggets and Earl Boykins (recently traded by the Nuggets) led the Bucks with 26 points. (This was during the 2006-07 season … Denver finished 45-37)
Our last win in Chicago came on January 16, 2006: 97-94. This was the game in the 2005-06 season (44-38 record) that K-Mart hit a running layup to give the Nuggets the lead for good.
Denver spotted Chicago an 18-point lead and it still wasn’t enough to finish off Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin and the Nuggets. Anthony scored 39 points and Martin added 22 points and 14 rebounds to lead Denver to a 97-94 win over the Bulls on Monday.
The Nuggets trailed by 18 in the first half. But Anthony, Martin and Earl Watson all stepped up in second half. Anthony scored 22 points, including hitting 12-of-13 free throws. Watson was 4-for-5 from 3-point range, scoring 14 of his 16 points in the second half and Martin had 11 points and eight rebounds.
“This team is still growing. Now we’re coming back by huge deficits and that’s the kind of team we want to be,” Watson said.
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 3, 2009 10:21 AM MST up reply actions
We'll see Watson tonight with the Pacers ...
Denver Stiffs.com: Defending the sovereignty of Nuggets Nation.
by Nate Timmons on Nov 3, 2009 10:23 AM MST up reply actions
Both Chicago and Milwaukee with be walk-throughs for the Nugs
They could easily be blowouts in the Nugs favor. Neither Chicago nor Milwaukee can stand up to this Nugs team at any time.
That's not true at all
Chicago is about as good as they were last season minus the size/scoring power of Ben Gordon. They looked very good against the Spurs and tough to beat against Boston. Plus the Nuggets let the Bulls run up and down on us last season so they will have to be very concerned about slowing Derrick Rose. And even though Milwaukee doesn’t look amazing they have beat us very recently and they toppled the Pistons last week who lead most of the game.
I am not giving these games away already, but let’s not get overconfident until we can see how we stand up to Indiana at the least.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 4:43 PM MST up reply actions
What I want to see
is the Nuggets put their foot on the Pacers neck early. Good teams will consistently let the other teams know how things are gonna go early and keep it that way, with only a few abberations now and then.
by NugzD on Nov 3, 2009 12:53 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Must Win
Not really, but it will be a damn embarrasment if we don’t. The Pacers are, when healthy, an incredibly talented and dangerous team. But they arn’t healthy, and we must capitolize. Can’t wait to see the Melo/Granger matchup.
perfect storm
it looks like all the teams except atlanta have injuries to key players on this road trip. denver was very lucky giving up 40 points in the 1st quarter against memphis and still winning. i hope the nugs learned their lesson.
pick up a calf every day pretty soon you will be picking up a cow
Put me in a better mood.
After Hawkins caused one of the most highest recruited player at CU in a long time, Darrell Scott. Hawk, resign please so we can start the rebuilding process and save some money. Anyway GO NUGGETS!!! Melo could go for 50 tonight!!!
Wow I hadn't heard he was leaving
How depressing. Hawkins has done about everything he can to ruin this season huh? I was at the CU Kansas State game and couldn’t believe we lost a 20 point lead by the 3rd quarter.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 4:57 PM MST up reply actions
Melo
Melo goes for 36 points tonight in a close win.
Proud to be a Stiff.
by BrianHunt on Nov 3, 2009 4:58 PM MST reply actions 1 recs
Carter off to a bad start
But the defense is much better tonight. A definite effort to rebound
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:16 PM MST reply actions
Who are you putting the
loss on? Miami?
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:22 PM MST up reply actions
I'd put the loss on
Chicago or ATL. I just think Chicago and Rose are very good at the fast pace as well and ATL is the second of a back-to-back after having to play Miami.
I still think we can beat them but if we do lose it will be to one of those two I think.
by ColoradoAggie11 on Nov 3, 2009 5:31 PM MST up reply actions
Okay that makes sense
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:35 PM MST up reply actions
Empty seats the the Pacers
How many empty seats are there at the Pacers? Hundreds!
It's really sad
Historically Pacers have been better than the Nuggets but this recession is just killing teams. I hope attendance picks up before we have another Super Sonics like relocation.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:31 PM MST up reply actions
Idk if you saw on the Pacer's site
the tickets are averaging only $30 and even less for the upper decks…just sad that they cannot fill the seats.
by ColoradoAggie11 on Nov 3, 2009 5:31 PM MST up reply actions
Really goofy turnovers
Letting the Pacers back in the game.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:27 PM MST reply actions
Nuggets fighting for boards!
Afflalo for three!
BLACK IS WHITE UP IS DOWN
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:37 PM MST reply actions
He's not yet the Dhantay Jones replacement
we all thought we were getting but he hasn’t got a shot yet to play serious minutes. He has shown flashes though and I am excited to see what he looks like when JR comes back
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:40 PM MST up reply actions
Really worried about this bench rotation
If they’re constantly having this much trouble. Thankfully there is a lot of season to fix it.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:45 PM MST reply actions
*this much trouble scoring
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:46 PM MST up reply actions
Oh man
The bench is going to get some serious minutes tonight
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:52 PM MST reply actions
I actually used the league pass
to watch Houston beat Portland on Halloween. Game was easily as fun to watch as a regular Nuggets game. I am definitely considering buying it after getting the preview
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:02 PM MST up reply actions
Thankfully we're a premier team and will be on national TV more often this year than in years past....
so I won’t have to buy league pass.
after tonight I cant see them util we beat LA on 11/13
- Dan Noreen.
by broncfanstuckinsd on Nov 3, 2009 5:58 PM MST up reply actions
go to see the beat down at the SD Sports Arena in the last preseason game it ws great be in the minority
- Dan Noreen.
by broncfanstuckinsd on Nov 3, 2009 6:00 PM MST up reply actions
It sounds like there are some Nuggies fans there in Indiana...
…but the seats look totally empty! THose must be the players themselves I hear…
I'm sure he's wishing the same thing
at this point. But for a guy from the D-league you can never turn down a 5 year guaranteed
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 5:58 PM MST up reply actions
Hit some free throws
Nugs! Between Melo and Graham we just went 2 for 6. Melo having an off night.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:05 PM MST reply actions
Very boring game
Even though we are leading by 16 at the half we just seem very sloppy on the offensive end and on defensive rotations at times. Melo is having an off game as well.
But am I the only one that thinks this game is going by pretty fast?
Not at all
I can’t believe were already at the half. As much defense being played the pace is about as fast as Sunday.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:12 PM MST up reply actions
Do the SBN sites look different today for some reason?
"C" is for Championship...that's good enough for meeeee!!!
Noticed that too! Looks cleaner
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:19 PM MST up reply actions
I think overall it's just a design
using less flash script. The sb nation recent stories and non-blog pages are more static and html based. But I don’t code so that’s just what it looks like to me.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:27 PM MST reply actions
This is how the Nugs often played last year. They would get a solid lead against a bad team and play uninspired ball the rest of the game until the end of the final quarter if they were down too much.
I want to see some killer instinct, yo. Tell K-Mart that Granger was talking smack about his momma or something.
Only thing I can think
is that they’re trying to pace themselves for the next 5 games, but that doesn’t make the fast break fouls any less frustrating.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:34 PM MST up reply actions
Why why why
would Carter take that 3? 20 point lead cut down to 9. Wow.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:35 PM MST reply actions
Jones turned to a flopper now?
- Dan Noreen.
by broncfanstuckinsd on Nov 3, 2009 6:39 PM MST reply actions
I'm actually pretty sure it was a Melbow
but I wouldn’t put it past our ex-lock down defender
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:39 PM MST up reply actions
JONES IS THE NEXT BRUCE BOWEN
WITH THE FLOPPING ABILITY OF MANU
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
DUNK THE BALL NENE
WHY DONT YOU DUNK THE BALL WHEN YOU’RE RIGHT UNDER THE NET
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:44 PM MST reply actions
i don't think so
but he’s been in the entire time we watched a 59-32 lead slip away
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:47 PM MST up reply actions
WE SHOULD START A "WHY THE HELL IS AC PLAYING THIS MANY MINUTES" thread
In the FanPost section
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
JUMP BALLS
TURN OVERS
MELO PUTS IN A BUCKET FOR INDIANA
THIS GAME HAS IT ALL
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:48 PM MST reply actions
Melo is so good at scoring
that he doesn’t even know what basket to put the ball in!
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Cant AC ride the pine for all 48 mins
- Dan Noreen.
by broncfanstuckinsd on Nov 3, 2009 6:49 PM MST reply actions
AC I HATE YOU FOR BEING GK's LOVEBUDDY
GK I HATE Y?OU FOR BEING AN IDIOT
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
What are these turn overs
Start collecting rebounds but give the ball back every other position?
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:54 PM MST reply actions
Oh Chauncey...
eeeeshhh
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 6:57 PM MST reply actions
Question
Why has AA played 10 less minutes than Carter??? I thought he was playing pretty well earlier …
Thought you knew
Why else would this sorry POS get all these minutes
Damn you, Dahntay Jones
You too, Granger. This should be a blowout by now. However, a bad start by Melo and an inability to get a hand in their faces/challenge their shots has caused the lead to dimish.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Haha
wow, what a fast break. how are we winning this thing right now
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 7:07 PM MST reply actions
Nene doesn't dunk the ball
under the hoop out of spite for me.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 7:11 PM MST reply actions
its a miracle AC hit a shot
- Dan Noreen.
by broncfanstuckinsd on Nov 3, 2009 7:16 PM MST reply actions
what? I was looking away and missed it!
damn … now I have to wait 5 more games before I see one
by zaf on Nov 3, 2009 7:16 PM MST up reply actions
I better go play the lottery now
- Dan Noreen.
by broncfanstuckinsd on Nov 3, 2009 7:19 PM MST up reply actions
It's garbage time
The POS couldn’t hit the shot if we really needed a score. Asshol
How does Malik Allen get more time than Balkman.
George Karl is officially pissing me off now.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 7:19 PM MST reply actions
No wondering why it felt like a boring game
AC playing for 30 minutes!! Wtf??
And Balk has already been better
on defense in 3 minutes than AC has been all game. Karl you idiot.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 7:25 PM MST reply actions
?
what do you mean? what happened?
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 7:32 PM MST up reply actions
4-0!
Melo, CB and K-Mart well and rested for tomorrow’s game
AC played quite a bit tonight. Hopefully he takes the night off tomorrow
I’m worried about his health ;-)
I want AC to take the night off tomorrow
Or, better yet, GK blindly overplays him and AC goes down with some fatigue-related injury
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Well
There’s no way tomorrow’s game will turn out worse than last year’s performance in NJ
Nets managed 68 points against the amazing *cough* defense of the Bobcats
I don’t think they played much defense in that game, either. I mean, sure, 79 points against, but the Bobcats can’t score 100 in an empty gym to save their lives.
"I always believe there's a reason why you go through everything." -John Elway
Boring, but a good boring.
Was never close. Nugs are 4-0.
by the real stranger on Nov 3, 2009 8:04 PM MST reply actions
Yeah
As frustrating and slow as that win was I’ll take a prolonged defensive mess over a run happy loss.
Bleed Blue and Gold
by MileHighMonsters on Nov 3, 2009 8:24 PM MST up reply actions
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