Game 82 preview: Nuggets @ Blazers
by Nate Timmons on Apr 15, 2009 11:35 AM MDT
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Happy Seeding Day!
Game 80: April 10th, 2004.
That is the game that I saw Carmelo Anthony become a difference maker. It sounds pretty funny because Melo was having a fantastic rookie season and was involved in the Rookie of the Year conversation with LeBron James, but I wanted to see something more.
The Nuggets were clawing and scratching to get into the playoffs and the Blazers came into town. A win and Denver was all but guaranteed their first playoff birth since the 1994-95 season. A loss and Denver was going to have to get some help.
My sister took me to the game as her work had purchased the upper box next to the DJ booth. As the game went on the excitement grew. Melo sent the game into overtime with some last second heroics and Denver went on to win 110-100. Strangers were hugging strangers by the end of the game and Nuggets fans again had a team and a star to root for.
Fast forward to this season and once again the Blazers are in the picture and in the way of the Denver Nuggets.
We'll find out if Denver must win this game in order to claim the 2nd Seed because the Rockets play in Dallas on ESPN with tipoff slated for 6 p.m. MDT. If the Rockets win the Nuggets must win to claim the 2nd Seed. A Rockets loss and the Nuggets can shut it down early at the Rose Garden.
The Rockets are 3-3 in their last 6 road games. Wins versus San Antonio, Golden State, and Sacramento. Three losses coming to Utah, Phoenix, and the Lakers. So, Dallas should have a good shot to win at home tonight.
Records:
Denver 54-27 (21-19 on the road)
Portland 53-28 (33-7 at home)
Season Series: Denver leads 2-1
Dec 22 in Denver: Nuggets win 97-89
Dec 23 in Portland: Blazers win 101-92
March 5 in Denver: Nuggets win 106-90
Opposition's Take: Blazer's Edge (preview already up ... excellent insight into everything Blazers as usual)
Carmelo has only played in one game against the Blazers this season. He scored 38 points on 16-26 shooting on March 5th in Denver's home blowout win over Portland.
The Nuggets are 1-1 against Portland without Melo and that is a pretty good sign. The Blazers are very good at home. With a win tonight they could finish with a better home record as the Nuggets (33-8).
When you discuss the Blazers the talk focuses on Brandon Roy (22.8 ppg) and LaMarcus Aldridge (18.3 ppg). Roy is quickly becoming known as the "closer" of the Blazers and he's a very talented all around guard.
If you have only seen the Blazers play against the Nuggets you might not get the sense that Roy is a leader and a dominant player. In his three games against the Nuggets Roy has averaged 16.3 points and 5 assists ... both lower than his season averages. In fact, Denver was able to hold Roy to just 8 points in their first meeting of the season. Roy has only failed to reach double-digits in points four times in 77 games this season. Make no mistake, this kid is a star in the making and key to how far Portland will go in the post season.
On the flip-side Aldridge has played well against Denver. He averages 20.3 points and 5.3 rebounds against Denver. Aldridge will be in the conversation going forward as one of the best power forwards in not only the Western Conference, but in the league. The Nuggets have to guard against his baseline jumpers and I like Kenyon to match up against him.
I've been arguing with my buddy Rich about Portland all season. He calls the Blazers the "most over hyped" and "overrated" team in the NBA. I tried to point out that Portland could very well finish with the exact record of the Nuggets, but to no avail.
Rich's comments come across to me as a guy who doesn't watch Portland games. This team is deep and they have size. They can score the ball in a variety of ways, but they don't tend to get out and run much. Portland prefers to play at a slower pace and they hate wasting possessions.
We'll find out tonight if the Nuggets need this game. I believe that will determine their effort, but Denver needs to come out and take this one. Once they find out Houston's fate I don't mind if they play Johan Petro, Jason Hart, and Co. Should be very interesting how things go.
Tonight is a great night for basketball. If Houston beats Dallas then it'll be an excellent night for basketball as both Denver and Portland will need this game.
Only two playoff seeds have been determined: 1.) Lakers vs. 8.) Utah Jazz ... the other six seeds will be decided tonight as all six teams face off against one another.
Rockets at Mavs, 6 p.m. tipoff on ESPN
Hornets at Spurs, 6 p.m. tipoff
Nuggets at Blazers 8:30 p.m. tipoff on ESPN
all tip times MDT
Pregame Notes:
- Denver can surpass the 1987-88 win total of 54 games by winning game 55 tonight
- Billups has averaged 15.3 points and 7.3 assists against the Blazers this season
- Nene has averaged a double-double against the Blazers with 17.3 ppg and 10 rpg
- Birdzilla has 10 blocks (6 and 4) in Denver's two wins over Portland
- Chris Andersen recorded 0 blocks in Denver's road loss to Portland
ntimmons73@yahoo.com
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Correction
You mean, with a loss the Blazers will have the same home court record as the Nuggets. Both teams have 33 wins at this moment with Denver having 8 losses at home and Portland having 7.
quid Latine dictum sit, altum viditur
Yes, thanks for pointing that out
Got myself twisted … corrected now.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Apr 15, 2009 1:18 PM MDT up reply actions
Who like to lose...
Say Houston does lose their game. If Portland then wins this game, this would leave Denver and Portland with the #2 and #3 seeds, respectively. As a Nugget, wouldn’t you want to prove that you could potentially take out a 2nd round opponent on their home court? While beating Portland would guarantee that the two teams wouldn’t potentially face each other until the WCF, it is still a game that I’m sure the Nuggets would like to win regardless.
Nah,
We know the Nuggets are capable of winning in Portland with a healthy team. Melo didn’t play in that loss on December 23rd and he proved with his 38 point effort that he has the ability to dominate the Blazers.
I’d rather see the guys get some rest if Houston loses. We’ll take care of winning in Portland in Round 2 if things worked out the way you state above.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Apr 15, 2009 1:21 PM MDT up reply actions
"We know the Nuggets are capable of winning in Portland with a healthy team."
If you say so…
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 15, 2009 3:06 PM MDT up reply actions
if the lakers cant win with a healthy team..
and the celtics cant win with a healthy team…THE NUGGETS CAN
Oden...Aldridge...Roy.....THE REAL BIG THREE
by CroRupt on Apr 15, 2009 4:04 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
What do you want me to tell you?
There is no way the Nuggs can win there? I believe the Blazers are 33-7 at home … not 40-0 heading to game 41 there tonight. Come on now.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Apr 15, 2009 4:20 PM MDT up reply actions
Hahahaha...Bedge has a way of helping swing things in their favor don't they ...
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Apr 15, 2009 1:19 PM MDT up reply actions
Anyone who voted option 2 should be drawn and quartered.
I know Denver is going to give it their all tonight and going to make this a hell of a game.
arrgghhhhh
why did you have to bring up that game!!!!??
Cheeks was upset that his point guard, Damon Stoudamire, wasn’t sent to the foul line after being fouled by Boykins with 2.3 seconds left in regulation. The officials ruled it a non-shooting foul, and Stoudamire subsequently missed a long shot at the buzzer.
Looking at the big picture, it’s for the best that the Blazers didn’t make the playoffs that year because that team was never going anywhere anyway, but man was that a bad call…
Anyway good luck tonight, it should be a good one.
indenvertimes.com
“"We have one more playoff-type game to go up to Portland and try to figure out how to beat a very good Portland team,’’ said Karl, who said it’s very important to secure the ability to have homecourt advantage in the second round. "I don’t think I’m going to play anyone 40 minutes, but we’re going to try to win the game and we’re gong to coach it like a playoff game.’’
Blazer fan here nug fans. Going to be at the game, and screaming my blazers on their way to the 4 seed!
I really hated the nuggets the last few years, as I think AI is the most over-rated player of the last 20 years, but like them a lot this year. Birdman is tons of fun, and I’ve always loved Chauncy. You guys have a real shot at the WCF this year, and I’m glad we have this renewed rivalry in the NW division. I will definitely be a Denver fan if you guys end up vs the L@kers in the WCF! Houston will lose tonight, and the Karl will shut the team down and concede the game effectively…book it. Dallas has been really tough at home as of late.
Houston win or lose
I still think we are gonna approach this game as a playoff game. The players really want to break the regular season record and keep our momentum going into Sat/Sun. But likewise I would love to see the blazers match up with the lakers in the 2nd round and give them a run for the money. Good luck tonight
Blazers stack up well vs. L.A.
I’d love to see Portland battle L.A. in Round 2! 3-1 vs. L.A. in the Regular Season …
Great home court for the Blazers. The size to battle L.A. Could get very interesting if it happens.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Apr 15, 2009 4:19 PM MDT up reply actions
2-2
We lost the first game of the season in L.A. Oden rolled his ankle. The second game in L.A. Roy was out.
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 15, 2009 4:56 PM MDT up reply actions
Oh man ...
I just looked that up to double check. Could have swore Portland had it 3-1 …
But you are right it’s 2-2 … I still like how the Blazers match up though.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Apr 15, 2009 4:59 PM MDT up reply actions
We are the only team that wants to play the lakers
We have some past demons that need exorcising.
by Sabonis4Ever on Apr 15, 2009 5:07 PM MDT up reply actions 1 recs
Nice!
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Apr 16, 2009 8:17 AM MDT up reply actions
Say hi to your friend Rick - hope he caught the game
and good luck to you all in the first round
"its tough to play with one eye, unless you're a pirate." Delonte West
"una canasta a Pau en la cara" Rudy
Good old Rich ...
We talked a bit during the game. The Blazers shot lights out last night.
Fun to see Rudy break that 3-point mark. Good luck against the Rockets.
Pickaxe & Roll.com: 5,280 reasons to be a Nuggets fan
by Nate Timmons on Apr 16, 2009 8:17 AM MDT up reply actions
The Nuggets, I know, are a better team than last night ...
… but I’m thinking Rich is eating his words. The Blazers have been crushing teams like that the whole second half of the season (including teams like the Lakers, Spurs, Hornets and Jazz).
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
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