Nuggets @ Thunder

by Nate Timmons on Feb 4, 2009 4:45 PM MST

Nuggets hope to not rely on buzzer beater

Since losing to the Nuggets on a buzzer beater just over a month ago (Jan. 2) the Oklahoma City Thunder have notched 7 wins in 13 games in January after recording just 4 wins in all of October, November, and December.

Kevin Durant has been scoring at will (25 ppg) and getting help from his fellow teammates Jeff Green and rookie sensation Russell Westbrook from UCLA. Throw in a cast of competent veterans Earl Watson, Nenad Kristic and Nick Collison and this young team becomes dangerous.

Tonight will be a special game for Thunder reserve guard Chucky Atkins and Nuggets reserve center Johan Petro - as this is the first time they will face their former teams.

I know George Karl likes to implement guys to face their former teams, but I have a feeling Petro will remain planted on the bench (or at least should).

I don't see the Nuggets running away with this one, especially since the Thunder have had three days off since their overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings (122-188). This is a very dangerous game for the Nuggets and after playing poorly last night I expect the team to come out regrouped and ready to play. (Actually I'm lying my ass off ... I think there is a good chance that Billups sits and the team comes out and plays sloppy and might give this game away after only losing to one sub .500 team all year - let's hope I'm completely wrong here.)

At the time of writing both Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin are game time decisions.

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1 Hour until tipoff!

Looking forward to this one after the last time the Nuggets paid a visit to Loud City!

WELCOME TO LOUD CITY!

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Feb 4, 2009 5:02 PM MST reply actions

What’s up with Chauncy? I missed the Spurs game. Did he get hurt?

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by FrankD on Feb 4, 2009 5:42 PM MST reply actions

Never mind. Just read that he messed up his ankle. Hopefully it’s not serious, but thankfully this didn’t come while Melo was injured too. That could’ve been a very dismal month

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by FrankD on Feb 4, 2009 5:57 PM MST up reply actions

buzzer beater!!

:-)

by nebraskasux on Feb 4, 2009 8:35 PM MST reply actions

Amazing. I guess it’s the only way to beat the Spurs.

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by FrankD on Feb 4, 2009 9:39 PM MST up reply actions

Er…scratch that. I meant Thunder.

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by FrankD on Feb 4, 2009 9:40 PM MST up reply actions

Didn't I watch this EXACT ending a month ago?

…excuse me while I go jump off a bridge!

WELCOME TO LOUD CITY!

by Mr Pappagiorgio on Feb 4, 2009 9:04 PM MST reply actions

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STIFF LIST (as of 4/26 by Andrew Feinstein)

1. METTA WORLD PEACE

Metta resorted back to Ron Ron last Sunday by clubbing James Hardenwith an "inadvertent celebratory elbow", landing him a 7-game suspension. Apparently, changing his name didn't prevent NBA commissioner David Stern from overlooking Metta's past behavior problems.

2. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

The 'Cats are on the verge of securing the worst winning percentage in NBA history. Given that the guy who runs the team - Michael Jordan - had previously drafted Kwame Brown and Adam Morrison, should this really be a shock?

3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
The team that was supposedly built to overcome the lockout-shortened season managed to lose 7 of its last 14 games, ceding the Western Conference's 1-seed to the Spurs in the process. Their reward might be a first round matchup with defending champion Dallas.

4. BILLY HUNTER AND DEREK FISHER

With report after report coming out about NBPA union head Hunter's shady, nepotistic dealings and questions arising about Fisher's own role in dealing with NBA owners behind Hunter's back during the lockout, this off-the-court scandal could prove to be more exciting than the playoffs themselves!

5. STEVE NASH AND THE PHOENIX SUNS
The Suns are on this list for squandering the last few great seasons from Nash. Nash is on this list for his stupidly stubborn loyalty to a franchise as awful as the Suns.