Winning basketball games is usually a mere laborious task for the New Jersey Nets. The fourteen win ballclub who calls Newark’s Prudential Center home has become a blip on many an NBA opponent’s schedule. But last night the Nets had little trouble against a Carmelo Anthony-led visiting Nuggets squad. New Jersey dropped Denver 115-90 to pick up their 15th win of another losing season. The Nets scored the most first half points they have all year, connecting on 25-of-40 in a vehement victory at home. The Melo sweepstakes may have ended, and the Nets proved last night why they just might not need Anthony’s services after all. New Jersey stopped a two game skid while the Nuggets suffered their 20th loss this season.
Anthony scored a game high 37 points in 40 minutes but his Denver teammates were virtual no-shows on the hardwood. The Nuggets made just 35% of their 3-pointers and found themselves in a 19-7 hole halfway through the first stanza. Denver ripped off nine consecutive points but New Jersey rushed ahead to a ten point advantage on Travis Outlaw’s 13 point first quarter. Devon Harris was an assist assailant, compiling an aggressive career high 18 in the New Jersey win. The Nets sailed ahead by as many as 18 points for a 63-50 advantage at the intermission. Anthony kept the visitors in the game with 23 first half points and nine of ten from the charity stripe. Brook Lopez led New Jersey with 27 points. The center from Stanford made 11-of-18 from the field and was a perfect 5-for-5 from the line. Despite Anthony’s offensive dominance, the hosts were ferocious in forcing 16 turnovers and outrebounding the Nuggets by 11.
The Nets hit 9-of-15 from downtown and were led by Kris Humphries’ big second half off the bench. Chauncey Billups supplied 19 points (16 in the second half) and Brazilian, Nene Hilario, sunk 16 for Denver, who mounted a slight comeback after the break. J.R. Smith drained a pair of foul shots to trim the Nuggets’ deficit to just four with less than a minute on the clock. The Nets continued their clutch shooting and never allowed Denver to take the lead. New Jersey outscored the Nuggets 30-21 in the final quarter to finish over the 100 point mark. Monday was the 15th straight road game Denver has allowed an opponent 100-or-more points. Anthony Morrow poured in 18 in the win, including four 3-pointers.
Parting Points: Snowy Tuesday tune- “Quit Playing Games With My Heart” by Backstreet Boys
Georgetown knocked off Louisville last night as the Big East seeding continue to shuffle.
Showing posts with label Denver Nuggets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Denver Nuggets. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Friday, April 9, 2010
Carmelo's Clamp at Clock
Carmelo Anthony dialed up 31 points and delivered a block at the buzzer as the Nuggets held off the Lakers 98-96 in Denver. The Western conference-leading Lakers dropped their fourth game in five tries but played Thursday without Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. Pau Gasol carried L.A.’s offense with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Lamar Odom matched Gasol in rebounds and Ron Artest added 22 points in the Pepsi Center road loss. The Lakers failed to clinch the top seed in the conference when Derek Fisher’s 3-point attempt was blocked by Anthony as time expired.
MVP Bryant sat out with nagging injuries for Phil Jackson’s 55-23 Lakers. L.A. is tied with the Orlando Magic for the second best record in the league. Denver dove a full game ahead of Utah for the Northwest division lead with the win. The Nuggets clung to a one point advantage with 18 ticks on the clock. L.A.’s Shannon Brown grabbed a rebound off J.R. Smith’s shot and passed to an open Fisher in transition. Denver’s Chanchey Billups swooped in to break up the pass to give the Nuggets possession. Billups led all players with six assists on the night. The Lakers got the ball back following a Smith free throw and being down by a bucket. Fisher’s last-ditch shot went for naught as Anthony’s outstretched arms prevented the tying basket. Smith finished with 26 points and Billups landed 12 as the Nuggets outlasted the slumping Lakers.
The Lakers were out-scored in every quarter except the third, but made a game of it despite key injuries. Denver raced out to a 15 point lead in the third quarter but the Lakers came roaring back to reclaim the edge. Seven year star, Nene Hilario, made a pair of free throws to give the Nuggets the lead for good with just over a minute remaining. Hilario tallied 11 points and 7 rebounds, while notching 7-of-10 from the line. The Nuggets were just too swift and smooth from the field. Smith was on target with 5-of-11 shots from long range to move into first place on the franchise’s all time 3-point list. Denver made 11 baskets, finishing 44% from the arc. Anthony contributed three from downtown and blocked three shots. The former Syracuse standout committed just one turnover and went 10-of-20 from the field. The Lakers were a sure-handed and accurate 84.8% from the charity stripe. Gasol knocked down 10-of-11 free throws. There has been speculation that Jackson is resting Bryant with the playoffs looming. It’s unknown whether Bryant will play Friday against Minnesota. Sasha Vujacic started in place of Bryant. Vujacic’s slow first half prompted Jackson to replace the Yugoslavian with Brown. Brown grabbed a dozen points. Jordan Farmar hit a trey and Vujacic returned to score six points to give L.A. a lead in the fourth quarter. The Lakers would get as close as two points before losing the game to 52-win Denver.
Parting Points: Take home pay. Brad Stevens is rewarded with a 12 year extension at Butler.
Walk-off win in Cincy. Jonny Gomes goes yard as the Reds top the Redbirds.
MVP Bryant sat out with nagging injuries for Phil Jackson’s 55-23 Lakers. L.A. is tied with the Orlando Magic for the second best record in the league. Denver dove a full game ahead of Utah for the Northwest division lead with the win. The Nuggets clung to a one point advantage with 18 ticks on the clock. L.A.’s Shannon Brown grabbed a rebound off J.R. Smith’s shot and passed to an open Fisher in transition. Denver’s Chanchey Billups swooped in to break up the pass to give the Nuggets possession. Billups led all players with six assists on the night. The Lakers got the ball back following a Smith free throw and being down by a bucket. Fisher’s last-ditch shot went for naught as Anthony’s outstretched arms prevented the tying basket. Smith finished with 26 points and Billups landed 12 as the Nuggets outlasted the slumping Lakers.
The Lakers were out-scored in every quarter except the third, but made a game of it despite key injuries. Denver raced out to a 15 point lead in the third quarter but the Lakers came roaring back to reclaim the edge. Seven year star, Nene Hilario, made a pair of free throws to give the Nuggets the lead for good with just over a minute remaining. Hilario tallied 11 points and 7 rebounds, while notching 7-of-10 from the line. The Nuggets were just too swift and smooth from the field. Smith was on target with 5-of-11 shots from long range to move into first place on the franchise’s all time 3-point list. Denver made 11 baskets, finishing 44% from the arc. Anthony contributed three from downtown and blocked three shots. The former Syracuse standout committed just one turnover and went 10-of-20 from the field. The Lakers were a sure-handed and accurate 84.8% from the charity stripe. Gasol knocked down 10-of-11 free throws. There has been speculation that Jackson is resting Bryant with the playoffs looming. It’s unknown whether Bryant will play Friday against Minnesota. Sasha Vujacic started in place of Bryant. Vujacic’s slow first half prompted Jackson to replace the Yugoslavian with Brown. Brown grabbed a dozen points. Jordan Farmar hit a trey and Vujacic returned to score six points to give L.A. a lead in the fourth quarter. The Lakers would get as close as two points before losing the game to 52-win Denver.
Parting Points: Take home pay. Brad Stevens is rewarded with a 12 year extension at Butler.
Walk-off win in Cincy. Jonny Gomes goes yard as the Reds top the Redbirds.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Depleted Denver’s Defense Defeated
The Houston Cougars are in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1992. Amidst the madness o March, the Houston Rockets are trying to make the NBA playoffs. In the Mile High city, perhaps they are more concerned with Brady Quinn’s arrival than basketball. Monday night, the Rockets rallied to complete their largest fourth quarter comeback of the season in defeating the Denver Nuggets 125-123 at Toyota Center. Houston fans watched the home team overcome an eleven point deficit. The crowd of 16,000 witness Aaron Brooks delivering the game winning basket with 2.9 seconds left. The Rockets pulled off the NBA version of a clutch performance and snapped the Nuggets’ six game winning streak in the process.
Brooks, the savior of the game, compiled 31 points and nine assists in propelling hopeful Houston Monday night. The Rockets’ second year point guard was outshined by only Carmelo Anthony. The All-Star Nugget scored 45 points in the loss to snag his seventh 40-plus point game of the season. Anthony was 6-of-7 from the line and got fat on three 3-pointers and 10 rebounds. He missed a 3-point try at the buzzer, however. The Rockets’ best offensive first half was on display last night. The Rockets shot 59% in the first half. Houston led by 11 points at the half but the advantage vanished quickly after the break. Chauncey Billups sank consecutive 3-pointers early in the third quarter to get Denver’s offense moving. Billups finished with 17 points. Denver trailed by just two points heading into the fourth quarter.
Kevin Martin tallied 29 points for Houston. Martin surged in the second half, scoring seven points during a 16-6 spurt that put Houston up 58-42 with just over nine minutes remaining. Denver rode a 104-93 lead into the final quarter, with Anthony in the driver’s seat. Melo converted 11 points in the third quarter. Houston pulled back to within four behind Luis Scola’s inside scoring and Shane Battier’s sinkers from the rainbow. The high-scoring Nuggets slowed down the stretch, but rallied to grab a five point lead in the final minute. Trevor Ariza knocked down his first 3-pointer of the night with 1:21 remaining and Scola notched a layup on a fast-break rebound. Scola charged the lane with the tying layup and swished the ensuing free throw to put the Rockets on top by one point. Number four took a pass from midcourt after getting up from the floor on the opposite side of the court, and glided blissfully to the rim. Scola secured his sixth straight double-double with a superb 23 point, 11 rebound contest. Anthony knotted the game at 123 after Brooks split two free throws. The Rockets’ guard made up for the miss by going to work and lifting his team in the final six seconds. Houston spread the floor and allowed Brooks to make a sharp, one-dribble move to his right before nailing the deciding jumper. He looked like he was going to make a hard break to the basket, but instead pulled off the fake and plopped it in the net. Houston is now five games behind Portland in the Western Conference playoff race.
Denver came into Monday averaging 116 points per game and running opponents off the court. The defense was exposed by Houston at Toyota Center. Their inability to stop Brooks coupled with the Rocket’s knack for denying Denver the ball resulted in the Nuggets’ first road loss in four tries. Houston’s big three (Scola, Brooks and Martin) combined for 83 points and 19 boards. Kyle Lowry’s fourth quarter defense was excellent and his slick drives to the basket past Denver’s defense exhilarating. The Rockets just passed the ball really well in the last frame. The high octane Denver offense finally caught up to a stalwart defense. As long as Houston’s defense gives them a chance to win games, the Rockets will have success on the hardwood.
Parting Points: “If you love me, won’t you let me know”- Coldplay
The Cards and Phils are in trade talks—Pujols for Howard?
Agassi apologizes for his jab against Sampras...hmm.
I personally love it when the Rockets don’t fold!
Brooks, the savior of the game, compiled 31 points and nine assists in propelling hopeful Houston Monday night. The Rockets’ second year point guard was outshined by only Carmelo Anthony. The All-Star Nugget scored 45 points in the loss to snag his seventh 40-plus point game of the season. Anthony was 6-of-7 from the line and got fat on three 3-pointers and 10 rebounds. He missed a 3-point try at the buzzer, however. The Rockets’ best offensive first half was on display last night. The Rockets shot 59% in the first half. Houston led by 11 points at the half but the advantage vanished quickly after the break. Chauncey Billups sank consecutive 3-pointers early in the third quarter to get Denver’s offense moving. Billups finished with 17 points. Denver trailed by just two points heading into the fourth quarter.
Kevin Martin tallied 29 points for Houston. Martin surged in the second half, scoring seven points during a 16-6 spurt that put Houston up 58-42 with just over nine minutes remaining. Denver rode a 104-93 lead into the final quarter, with Anthony in the driver’s seat. Melo converted 11 points in the third quarter. Houston pulled back to within four behind Luis Scola’s inside scoring and Shane Battier’s sinkers from the rainbow. The high-scoring Nuggets slowed down the stretch, but rallied to grab a five point lead in the final minute. Trevor Ariza knocked down his first 3-pointer of the night with 1:21 remaining and Scola notched a layup on a fast-break rebound. Scola charged the lane with the tying layup and swished the ensuing free throw to put the Rockets on top by one point. Number four took a pass from midcourt after getting up from the floor on the opposite side of the court, and glided blissfully to the rim. Scola secured his sixth straight double-double with a superb 23 point, 11 rebound contest. Anthony knotted the game at 123 after Brooks split two free throws. The Rockets’ guard made up for the miss by going to work and lifting his team in the final six seconds. Houston spread the floor and allowed Brooks to make a sharp, one-dribble move to his right before nailing the deciding jumper. He looked like he was going to make a hard break to the basket, but instead pulled off the fake and plopped it in the net. Houston is now five games behind Portland in the Western Conference playoff race.
Denver came into Monday averaging 116 points per game and running opponents off the court. The defense was exposed by Houston at Toyota Center. Their inability to stop Brooks coupled with the Rocket’s knack for denying Denver the ball resulted in the Nuggets’ first road loss in four tries. Houston’s big three (Scola, Brooks and Martin) combined for 83 points and 19 boards. Kyle Lowry’s fourth quarter defense was excellent and his slick drives to the basket past Denver’s defense exhilarating. The Rockets just passed the ball really well in the last frame. The high octane Denver offense finally caught up to a stalwart defense. As long as Houston’s defense gives them a chance to win games, the Rockets will have success on the hardwood.
Parting Points: “If you love me, won’t you let me know”- Coldplay
The Cards and Phils are in trade talks—Pujols for Howard?
Agassi apologizes for his jab against Sampras...hmm.
I personally love it when the Rockets don’t fold!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Deep Denver Depresses Defense
The Los Angeles Lakers underwent an ugly loss and gave up a season high in points last night against the Denver Nuggets. Chauncey Billups dropped a career high 39 points in Denver’s 126-113 victory at the Staples Center. The Friday stunner from the Nuggets occurred without the top scorer in the league, Carmelo Anthony. Billups buoyed the Nugget and more than made up for the absence of Melo with nine three pointers. The Nuggets bested LA for the second time this season and snapped their eight game home winning streak.
Denver delivered a demoralizing win by blowing the Lakers out of the Staples Center. Los Angeles was pitiful on defense and allowed the Nuggets to shoot 68% from the arc. The uncanny road performance from George Karl’s team puts Denver 3 ½ games behind LA in the standings. Anthony missed his seventh consecutive game because of a sprained ankle. The Nuggets need their scoring stud to compete in the Western conference. Friday proved they can still bring an effective effort to the hardwood. Billups manhandled LA with 21 points in the third quarter alone. Those buckets were enough to fall second to Wilt Chamberlain’s record 23 against LA in 1966. Billups also fell one three point shot shy of Peja Stojakovic’s 10 hits from downtown against the 2007 Lakers. LA’s MVP, Kobe Bryant, scored 33 points in the loss but it wasn’t enough to prevent six Nugget players from reaching double digits. Bryant was 8-of-11 in the first half, with 23 tallies. He hit the 15 point mark just seven minutes into the contest. The Nuggets trailed 64-59 at the break. Bryant slowed down after halftime, making three of ten shots and failing to record an assist. J.R. Smith propelled Denver with 27 points. Seven year veteran, Chris Andersen, grabbed 15 rebounds in the win, and reserve, Ty Lawson posted 13 points in 19 minutes.
Pau Gasol was a rebounding machine for the Lakers. LA’s big man finished with a game-leading 17 rebounds and 17 points to match. He dumped in the final bucket of the first half to account for LA’s five point benefit. The NBA champions were buried and beaten by Billups in the second half. The nine points Lakers edge was erased early in the half on four straight from downtown. Billups turned it into a two points Nuggets lead. Lawson stepped up at the end of the third quarter as the Nuggets gripped a 94-89 advantage. He came through early in the final quarter with a pair of free throws to make it a 102-91 Nuggets’ nudge. Lawson and Smith combined for 12 points during the game’s final 12 minutes. Denver secured a season high 15 three-pointers by night’s end, as Aaron Affalo got into the act with two. The Nuggets have the upper hand in this regular season rivalry. Bryan’t ankle is a problem for the Lakers. An ineffective and inept Bryant makes it increasingly difficult for LA to beat teams with Denver’s talent in the playoffs. Ron Artest, Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum are a nice supporting cast, but Bryant remains the star. Artest was perfect from the line (4-of-4) but shot 30% from the field. Odom and Bynum had 10 points and 5 rebounds each on Friday night. Neither managed an assist. The Lakers did not have much on defense against chic Denver in their arena last night.
Parting Points: Weekend poem- Robert Frost’s “Dust of Snow”
Denver delivered a demoralizing win by blowing the Lakers out of the Staples Center. Los Angeles was pitiful on defense and allowed the Nuggets to shoot 68% from the arc. The uncanny road performance from George Karl’s team puts Denver 3 ½ games behind LA in the standings. Anthony missed his seventh consecutive game because of a sprained ankle. The Nuggets need their scoring stud to compete in the Western conference. Friday proved they can still bring an effective effort to the hardwood. Billups manhandled LA with 21 points in the third quarter alone. Those buckets were enough to fall second to Wilt Chamberlain’s record 23 against LA in 1966. Billups also fell one three point shot shy of Peja Stojakovic’s 10 hits from downtown against the 2007 Lakers. LA’s MVP, Kobe Bryant, scored 33 points in the loss but it wasn’t enough to prevent six Nugget players from reaching double digits. Bryant was 8-of-11 in the first half, with 23 tallies. He hit the 15 point mark just seven minutes into the contest. The Nuggets trailed 64-59 at the break. Bryant slowed down after halftime, making three of ten shots and failing to record an assist. J.R. Smith propelled Denver with 27 points. Seven year veteran, Chris Andersen, grabbed 15 rebounds in the win, and reserve, Ty Lawson posted 13 points in 19 minutes.
Pau Gasol was a rebounding machine for the Lakers. LA’s big man finished with a game-leading 17 rebounds and 17 points to match. He dumped in the final bucket of the first half to account for LA’s five point benefit. The NBA champions were buried and beaten by Billups in the second half. The nine points Lakers edge was erased early in the half on four straight from downtown. Billups turned it into a two points Nuggets lead. Lawson stepped up at the end of the third quarter as the Nuggets gripped a 94-89 advantage. He came through early in the final quarter with a pair of free throws to make it a 102-91 Nuggets’ nudge. Lawson and Smith combined for 12 points during the game’s final 12 minutes. Denver secured a season high 15 three-pointers by night’s end, as Aaron Affalo got into the act with two. The Nuggets have the upper hand in this regular season rivalry. Bryan’t ankle is a problem for the Lakers. An ineffective and inept Bryant makes it increasingly difficult for LA to beat teams with Denver’s talent in the playoffs. Ron Artest, Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum are a nice supporting cast, but Bryant remains the star. Artest was perfect from the line (4-of-4) but shot 30% from the field. Odom and Bynum had 10 points and 5 rebounds each on Friday night. Neither managed an assist. The Lakers did not have much on defense against chic Denver in their arena last night.
Parting Points: Weekend poem- Robert Frost’s “Dust of Snow”
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Series in Six
If you’re a fan of the Denver Nuggets, you woke up with the disappointing news there would be no Game 7. Denver was dropped and denied a trip to the NBA finals when they were defeated by Los Angeles, 119-92. The Lakers dispatched the Nuggets and return for the second straight season to the finals. L.A. did so by finally hitting their stride, bouncing and beating up a Denver team that simply lost their steam. The Lakers exercised with an attestation of attrition and the Nuggets neglected to normalize.
The bar was set high for Los Angeles heading into this season after a championship series loss to the Boston Celtics. Kobe Bryant and his teammates will have a second chance to capture a title for the Lakers and accomplish what they couldn’t do last year. The only obstacle they have to confront is the NBA Eastern Conference winner, either Orlando or Cleveland. Whichever team the Lakers face, they will be a well-rested team.
The Denver series was closer than some predicted to begin, but ended with the Lakers snowballing Denver in Game 6’s lopsided win. Bryant extinguished Denver by striking up MVP-like performances. After luring a Game 1 two point victory, Los Angeles fell to Denver 106-103 in Game 2. The Lakers shook off a loss and took control of the series in Game 5, playing their best basketball in the final twenty minutes of a 103-94 win. Game 3 put the Lakers back up by a game. The teams tipped off and clashed in Denver for Game 4. The Nuggets were the better team that game with a defining 120-101 slapping. Game 5 proved the Lakers had smarter players and Denver lacked an ability to close out games. Los Angeles won 103-94 to rectify the bad taste of Game 4’s Denver drubbing. With energy and discipline, the Lakers played outstanding again in the clinching Game 6 Friday night. There was no orchestrated comeback for the Nuggets this time.
Bryant scored 35 points, had 10 assists, 6 rebounds and one block in 42 minutes. Pau Gasol, playing the same amount of time as Kobe, had 20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, one block and 3 steals for L.A. The two scoring stars got plenty of help from the other players. Including Bryant, three other Lakers scored in double digits. Lamar Odom added 20 points and an assists. Odom had 8 rebounds, including three on offense. Trevor Ariza chipped in with 17 points and went 3 of 4 from 3 point range. Transfixed Trevor hounded Denver’s, Carmelo Anthony. Ariza ascended with an assault, knocking and blocking the All-star Anthony. Luke Walton gave the Lakers 10 points from the bench, which included an uncharacteristic dunk over ‘Melo. The L.A. bench outscored the Nuggets bench 40-34. The Lakers shot over 57% from the field and 100% from the line.
Bryant berated the Nuggets and created a buzz when the Lakers went on a 21-7 run just before the half. His 11 points during the drilling took the air out of the Pepsi Center crowd and placed Denver in an arduous 53-40 hole. The Nuggets replenished after halftime and trimmed their deficit late in the game to 79-67. But it was Bryant stepping up again to show Denver the door. I am possessed by Bryant’s incredulity on the court. The Lakers replied with a 9-0 run and Kobe restored the team with seven straight points to make it 101-82. Kobe went 12 of 20 from the field and 9 of 9 at the charity stripe. The greatest clutch player in the NBA continues to perform at an unreachable utmost level.
The Nuggets made crucial mistakes and botched shots in Games 1 and 3. The games could have gone either way. Last night, there was no question which club was deserving of a trip to the NBA Finals. Anthony put up 25 points but only had a pair of rebounds and assists. J.R. Smith missed 5 three pointers of his 9 attempts, but scored 24 points in the Nuggets loss. Kenyon Martin turned in 13 points, and Chauncey Billups attained 10 to complement his 9 assists. Denver trailed most of the game and never mounted a serious charge in Game 6. They did shoot 80% from the line and finished 8 of 19 from the arc, but lost their eighth consecutive playoff elimination game by an embarrassing mark. So now it’s the Lakers who prevail and reach their record 30th final.
The Lakers executed well in the final two games of this Western finals series. They somehow cemented the cracks the Rockets and Nuggets exposed during these early rounds. L.A. looks like the best team in the NBA and a threat to thrash their next opponent. All the players did their part against Denver. Los Angeles controlled the match-up between the two benches, got another gorgeous game from Bryant, and more mobility from the defense. Bryant was poked all night by Denver defenders but still elevated from the perimeter to release shots. Odom, for the first time in the playoffs, had back-to-back performances worthy of praise. The Lakers are a better team overall when Odom is in the starting lineup. The 6’10” 29 year old hasn’t been a consistent force for Phil Jackson and was criticized for disappearing on his team last year. The resurgent Odom was hard for Denver to contain. The Nuggets also ineffective neutralized Gasol. Pau was an L.A. spark during Friday’s rout, and really has been oppressive this entire playoff run. The workhorse visibly confused the vulnerable Nuggets from down low and played well on the defensive front with 12 rebounds. Walton had a breakout game and took advantage of a porous, non-committal defense with wide-open jumpers. He was one pesky Pepsi Center presence.
The purple and gold defense never allowed Denver to get aggressive on offense. The Nuggets were excused last night because they barely showed up or creating contact. Anthony and Billups missed their targets. Chris Andersen was arid and Nene never took off. The Nuggets, at times, looked overexcited and unfocused. Denver put up a good fight in the first four games. The befuddled Nuggets did not get the inbound passes to put them over the top in the first two losses, and did not get a balanced attack in either of the final two defeats.
The Lakers dominated the glass and took care of their end of the court. L.A. will be a tough out for Orlando or Cleveland for NBA supremacy if they continue to pass the ball to players not named Kobe. Odom makes an impact just by being active and energetic. Gasol can capture close-out moments. Ariza is a proven shining player. Sasha Vujacic has athletic attributes ready to be showcased. Walton is a resilient role player with more to prove. Jordan Farmar embodies an attractive young talent. Andrew Bynum has glaring skills and ball-handling tactics. Bryant’s buckets are a winning requirement but sharing the workload give the Lakers are chance to make those momentum-shifting runs during the game. Los Angeles has respectable talent around their best player. Bryant is two titles shy of Michael Jordan. Jackson’s Lakers have been a playoff mainstay for years. Maybe this is the year L.A. wins it all again. It certainly looks like their time and I think there is still room in Jackson’s trophy case.
Parting points: It was a crisp morning, but I just had a blissful bike ride.
The bar was set high for Los Angeles heading into this season after a championship series loss to the Boston Celtics. Kobe Bryant and his teammates will have a second chance to capture a title for the Lakers and accomplish what they couldn’t do last year. The only obstacle they have to confront is the NBA Eastern Conference winner, either Orlando or Cleveland. Whichever team the Lakers face, they will be a well-rested team.
The Denver series was closer than some predicted to begin, but ended with the Lakers snowballing Denver in Game 6’s lopsided win. Bryant extinguished Denver by striking up MVP-like performances. After luring a Game 1 two point victory, Los Angeles fell to Denver 106-103 in Game 2. The Lakers shook off a loss and took control of the series in Game 5, playing their best basketball in the final twenty minutes of a 103-94 win. Game 3 put the Lakers back up by a game. The teams tipped off and clashed in Denver for Game 4. The Nuggets were the better team that game with a defining 120-101 slapping. Game 5 proved the Lakers had smarter players and Denver lacked an ability to close out games. Los Angeles won 103-94 to rectify the bad taste of Game 4’s Denver drubbing. With energy and discipline, the Lakers played outstanding again in the clinching Game 6 Friday night. There was no orchestrated comeback for the Nuggets this time.
Bryant scored 35 points, had 10 assists, 6 rebounds and one block in 42 minutes. Pau Gasol, playing the same amount of time as Kobe, had 20 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, one block and 3 steals for L.A. The two scoring stars got plenty of help from the other players. Including Bryant, three other Lakers scored in double digits. Lamar Odom added 20 points and an assists. Odom had 8 rebounds, including three on offense. Trevor Ariza chipped in with 17 points and went 3 of 4 from 3 point range. Transfixed Trevor hounded Denver’s, Carmelo Anthony. Ariza ascended with an assault, knocking and blocking the All-star Anthony. Luke Walton gave the Lakers 10 points from the bench, which included an uncharacteristic dunk over ‘Melo. The L.A. bench outscored the Nuggets bench 40-34. The Lakers shot over 57% from the field and 100% from the line.
Bryant berated the Nuggets and created a buzz when the Lakers went on a 21-7 run just before the half. His 11 points during the drilling took the air out of the Pepsi Center crowd and placed Denver in an arduous 53-40 hole. The Nuggets replenished after halftime and trimmed their deficit late in the game to 79-67. But it was Bryant stepping up again to show Denver the door. I am possessed by Bryant’s incredulity on the court. The Lakers replied with a 9-0 run and Kobe restored the team with seven straight points to make it 101-82. Kobe went 12 of 20 from the field and 9 of 9 at the charity stripe. The greatest clutch player in the NBA continues to perform at an unreachable utmost level.
The Nuggets made crucial mistakes and botched shots in Games 1 and 3. The games could have gone either way. Last night, there was no question which club was deserving of a trip to the NBA Finals. Anthony put up 25 points but only had a pair of rebounds and assists. J.R. Smith missed 5 three pointers of his 9 attempts, but scored 24 points in the Nuggets loss. Kenyon Martin turned in 13 points, and Chauncey Billups attained 10 to complement his 9 assists. Denver trailed most of the game and never mounted a serious charge in Game 6. They did shoot 80% from the line and finished 8 of 19 from the arc, but lost their eighth consecutive playoff elimination game by an embarrassing mark. So now it’s the Lakers who prevail and reach their record 30th final.
The Lakers executed well in the final two games of this Western finals series. They somehow cemented the cracks the Rockets and Nuggets exposed during these early rounds. L.A. looks like the best team in the NBA and a threat to thrash their next opponent. All the players did their part against Denver. Los Angeles controlled the match-up between the two benches, got another gorgeous game from Bryant, and more mobility from the defense. Bryant was poked all night by Denver defenders but still elevated from the perimeter to release shots. Odom, for the first time in the playoffs, had back-to-back performances worthy of praise. The Lakers are a better team overall when Odom is in the starting lineup. The 6’10” 29 year old hasn’t been a consistent force for Phil Jackson and was criticized for disappearing on his team last year. The resurgent Odom was hard for Denver to contain. The Nuggets also ineffective neutralized Gasol. Pau was an L.A. spark during Friday’s rout, and really has been oppressive this entire playoff run. The workhorse visibly confused the vulnerable Nuggets from down low and played well on the defensive front with 12 rebounds. Walton had a breakout game and took advantage of a porous, non-committal defense with wide-open jumpers. He was one pesky Pepsi Center presence.
The purple and gold defense never allowed Denver to get aggressive on offense. The Nuggets were excused last night because they barely showed up or creating contact. Anthony and Billups missed their targets. Chris Andersen was arid and Nene never took off. The Nuggets, at times, looked overexcited and unfocused. Denver put up a good fight in the first four games. The befuddled Nuggets did not get the inbound passes to put them over the top in the first two losses, and did not get a balanced attack in either of the final two defeats.
The Lakers dominated the glass and took care of their end of the court. L.A. will be a tough out for Orlando or Cleveland for NBA supremacy if they continue to pass the ball to players not named Kobe. Odom makes an impact just by being active and energetic. Gasol can capture close-out moments. Ariza is a proven shining player. Sasha Vujacic has athletic attributes ready to be showcased. Walton is a resilient role player with more to prove. Jordan Farmar embodies an attractive young talent. Andrew Bynum has glaring skills and ball-handling tactics. Bryant’s buckets are a winning requirement but sharing the workload give the Lakers are chance to make those momentum-shifting runs during the game. Los Angeles has respectable talent around their best player. Bryant is two titles shy of Michael Jordan. Jackson’s Lakers have been a playoff mainstay for years. Maybe this is the year L.A. wins it all again. It certainly looks like their time and I think there is still room in Jackson’s trophy case.
Parting points: It was a crisp morning, but I just had a blissful bike ride.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Thursday Take-Twos
Say goodbye to the Dallas Mavericks, Washington Capitals and Ryan Zimmerman’s 30 game hitting streak in this week’s installment of Thursday Take-Twos.
The Denver Nuggets put the finishing touches on the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 to reach the NBA Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1985. The Nuggets won the series 4-1. The 124-110 victory occurred in front of the Nuggets’ home crowd at the Pepsi Center. Denver shot 64 percent in the first half to build a 69-55 halftime lead. Carmelo Anthony netted 30, Chauncey Billups bucketed 28 and J.R. Smith scored 18 points for Denver. Billups also led with 12 assists and 7 rebounds while Nene Hilario rebounded 7 and tipped in 17 points. Denver forward, Kenyon Martin, stole four balls and fired 15 shots with success. Anthony hit a 25 foot jumper with 7 minutes left and the Mavericks on his heels to lift the Nuggets. Billups’ drew a technical foul from Dallas’ Antoine Wright to make it a 10 point game. Denver displayed excellent execution and had an answer for everything Dallas drew up. Dirk Nowitzki flicked 32 through the hoop and Jason Kidd added 19 for the Mavericks. The trade for Billups from Detroit appeared to make a difference for Denver this season. Chauncey and Melo are sparks and proven winners for the dark horse Denver team. Both players are forces in generating offense from downtown. The Nuggets are 8-2 in the playoffs and won a franchise tying 54 regular season games. They face the winner of the L.A.-Houston series in the finals. Denver is a championship quality team and will give fits to either of their next foe. An opponent has not beaten Denver at home since March 9th.
Sydney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins closed out their Eastern Conference semi-final series in Washington. Crosby propelled the offense and scored twice as the Pens scorched Washington 6-2 Wednesday night in the marquee match up between the teams. Captain Crosby stole the show with his post-season league-leading 11th and 12th goals. The Penguins skate to their second conference final in as many years. Wednesday, Crosby scored two power-play goals and assisted on the Pens‘ third goal. Sid the Kid wasn’t the only star of the game. Craig Adams slipped in his first goal in 42 post-season appearances. Youngster, Jordan Staal, 38 year old, Bill Guerin and defensive dasher, Kris Letang, both contributed with goals for Pittsburgh. Sergei Gonchar returned for the first time since being sidelined with a knee injury to provide an assist for Pittsburgh. Marc-Andre Fleury was nifty behind net with 19 saves and the defense kept the Caps’ Alex Ovechkin in check throughout the deciding game. Fleury fended off a breakaway attempt by Ovechkin when the game as still scoreless that could have provided momentum for Washington had Alex’s puck gone in the net. Ovechkin did score a late goal for Washington to improve his playoff series points to a commanding 14. The total has not been reached by any NHL player since the 1995 season. The Capitals switched goalies after the Penguins pounded in four goals. It was Crosby who struck first about seven minutes into the game. He added his second in the third period after stealing the puck from rival, Ovechkin, and parlayed the puck past replacement goalie, Jose Theodore for a 6-1 Penguins advantage.
It was a great story to follow. Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals was silenced at the plate for the first time in 30 consecutive games Wednesday. The Nats’ gnat, Zimmerman ,was collecting hits with currency in one of baseball’s hard-to-accomplish acts. It’s difficult enough to get a week’s worth of hits but thirty in a row is quite the accolade. It’s rare in today’s game too because when hitters start getting hot, pitchers intentionally walk them more often. Joe DiMaggio holds the record with his famed 56 game tear in 1941. Only 44 players in MLB history have a hit in 30 games. Moises Alou was the last to secure 30 in his 2007 stint with the Mets. Six players can claim a hitting streak of 40 or more games. Ryan drew two walks and went 0-3 against the San Francisco Giants in the National’s 6-3 win. Zimmerman faced another “z” last name major leaguer. Birthday boy, Barry Zito, was on the hill. I love Zito and am happy he is quietly turning his season around. Hopefully this indicates a return of the old curveball master from his Oakland days. Zimmerman did score a run in the 6th but fell short of the franchise record 31 games streak held by Vladimir Guerrero. Zimmerman grounded into a force with runners on first and second base in the ninth inning during his final at-bat. His streak began April 8th with a 6th inning double against the Florida Marlins. April 13th, he clobbered a 9th inning homerun in Philadelphia to keep the streak alive. An 8th inning shot on May 9th kept it going for 27 straight in a one-run Washington win over Arizona. The 24 year old third baseman batted .382 during the streak. He had 8 frozen ropes and 26 RBIs.
Parting points: I hear the music of Cracker; listening to “Low”.
The salacious story out of USC is making headlines. Did basketball coach, Tim Floyd, pay Rodney Guillory? According to former sportswriter for the Long Beach Press-Telegram, Louis Johnson, he did. Johnson is penning a book about O.J. Mayo and he accused Floyd of paying Guillory to help deliver Mayo to the Trojans program. Who should we believe? I am fascinated by stories involving college compliance. I will follow the ongoing drama from Hollywood and if the accusations turn out true, we could also be saying goodbye to Floyd.
The Denver Nuggets put the finishing touches on the Dallas Mavericks in Game 5 to reach the NBA Western Conference Finals for the first time since 1985. The Nuggets won the series 4-1. The 124-110 victory occurred in front of the Nuggets’ home crowd at the Pepsi Center. Denver shot 64 percent in the first half to build a 69-55 halftime lead. Carmelo Anthony netted 30, Chauncey Billups bucketed 28 and J.R. Smith scored 18 points for Denver. Billups also led with 12 assists and 7 rebounds while Nene Hilario rebounded 7 and tipped in 17 points. Denver forward, Kenyon Martin, stole four balls and fired 15 shots with success. Anthony hit a 25 foot jumper with 7 minutes left and the Mavericks on his heels to lift the Nuggets. Billups’ drew a technical foul from Dallas’ Antoine Wright to make it a 10 point game. Denver displayed excellent execution and had an answer for everything Dallas drew up. Dirk Nowitzki flicked 32 through the hoop and Jason Kidd added 19 for the Mavericks. The trade for Billups from Detroit appeared to make a difference for Denver this season. Chauncey and Melo are sparks and proven winners for the dark horse Denver team. Both players are forces in generating offense from downtown. The Nuggets are 8-2 in the playoffs and won a franchise tying 54 regular season games. They face the winner of the L.A.-Houston series in the finals. Denver is a championship quality team and will give fits to either of their next foe. An opponent has not beaten Denver at home since March 9th.
Sydney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins closed out their Eastern Conference semi-final series in Washington. Crosby propelled the offense and scored twice as the Pens scorched Washington 6-2 Wednesday night in the marquee match up between the teams. Captain Crosby stole the show with his post-season league-leading 11th and 12th goals. The Penguins skate to their second conference final in as many years. Wednesday, Crosby scored two power-play goals and assisted on the Pens‘ third goal. Sid the Kid wasn’t the only star of the game. Craig Adams slipped in his first goal in 42 post-season appearances. Youngster, Jordan Staal, 38 year old, Bill Guerin and defensive dasher, Kris Letang, both contributed with goals for Pittsburgh. Sergei Gonchar returned for the first time since being sidelined with a knee injury to provide an assist for Pittsburgh. Marc-Andre Fleury was nifty behind net with 19 saves and the defense kept the Caps’ Alex Ovechkin in check throughout the deciding game. Fleury fended off a breakaway attempt by Ovechkin when the game as still scoreless that could have provided momentum for Washington had Alex’s puck gone in the net. Ovechkin did score a late goal for Washington to improve his playoff series points to a commanding 14. The total has not been reached by any NHL player since the 1995 season. The Capitals switched goalies after the Penguins pounded in four goals. It was Crosby who struck first about seven minutes into the game. He added his second in the third period after stealing the puck from rival, Ovechkin, and parlayed the puck past replacement goalie, Jose Theodore for a 6-1 Penguins advantage.
It was a great story to follow. Ryan Zimmerman of the Washington Nationals was silenced at the plate for the first time in 30 consecutive games Wednesday. The Nats’ gnat, Zimmerman ,was collecting hits with currency in one of baseball’s hard-to-accomplish acts. It’s difficult enough to get a week’s worth of hits but thirty in a row is quite the accolade. It’s rare in today’s game too because when hitters start getting hot, pitchers intentionally walk them more often. Joe DiMaggio holds the record with his famed 56 game tear in 1941. Only 44 players in MLB history have a hit in 30 games. Moises Alou was the last to secure 30 in his 2007 stint with the Mets. Six players can claim a hitting streak of 40 or more games. Ryan drew two walks and went 0-3 against the San Francisco Giants in the National’s 6-3 win. Zimmerman faced another “z” last name major leaguer. Birthday boy, Barry Zito, was on the hill. I love Zito and am happy he is quietly turning his season around. Hopefully this indicates a return of the old curveball master from his Oakland days. Zimmerman did score a run in the 6th but fell short of the franchise record 31 games streak held by Vladimir Guerrero. Zimmerman grounded into a force with runners on first and second base in the ninth inning during his final at-bat. His streak began April 8th with a 6th inning double against the Florida Marlins. April 13th, he clobbered a 9th inning homerun in Philadelphia to keep the streak alive. An 8th inning shot on May 9th kept it going for 27 straight in a one-run Washington win over Arizona. The 24 year old third baseman batted .382 during the streak. He had 8 frozen ropes and 26 RBIs.
Parting points: I hear the music of Cracker; listening to “Low”.
The salacious story out of USC is making headlines. Did basketball coach, Tim Floyd, pay Rodney Guillory? According to former sportswriter for the Long Beach Press-Telegram, Louis Johnson, he did. Johnson is penning a book about O.J. Mayo and he accused Floyd of paying Guillory to help deliver Mayo to the Trojans program. Who should we believe? I am fascinated by stories involving college compliance. I will follow the ongoing drama from Hollywood and if the accusations turn out true, we could also be saying goodbye to Floyd.
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