SAN ANTONIO SPURS VS. DENVER NUGGETS 2007 NBA PLAYOFFS - WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND 1 Sun April 22 Denver at San Antonio 5:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time, TNT 2 Wed April 25 Denver at San Antonio 5:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time, TNT 3 Sat April 28 San Antonio at Denver 5:00 PM Mountain Daylight Time, TNT 4 Mon April 30 San Antonio at Denver TBD TBD 5* Tue May 2 Denver at San Antonio TBD TBD 6* Thurs May 4 San Antonio at Denver TBD TBD 7* Sat May 6 Denver at San Antonio TBD TBD *If Necessary NUGGETS PROBABLE STARTERS <u>KEY</u> Position Number Player Height Weight Points, Rebounds, and Assists Per Game Points and Minutes Notable [imgl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3706.jpg[/imgl] Small Forward 15 Carmelo Anthony 6-8, 230 28.9 ppg; 6.0 rpg; 3.8 apg Averages 28.9 points per game in 38.2 minutes per game= .76 points per minute Has appeared in 14 career playoff games with the Nuggets, averaging 18.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 2.5 apg. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3605.jpg[/IMGl] Power Forward 31 Nen? 6-11, 260 12.2 ppg; 7.0 rpg 1.2 apg Averages 12.2 points per game in 26.8 minutes per game= .46 points per minute Has only appeared in 10 postseason games with Denver after missing all of last year because of his knee injury. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3084.jpg[/IMGl] Center 23 Marcus Camby 6-11, 235 11.2 ppg; 11.7 rpg; 3.2 apg Averages 11.2 points per game in 33.9 minutes per game= .33 points per minute Was the starting center on the New York Knicks team that lost to the Spurs in the 1999 NBA Finals. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3094.jpg[/IMGl] Shooting Guard 3 Allen Iverson 6-0, 165 26.3 ppg; 3.0 rpg; 7.2 apg Averages 26.3 points per game in 42.5 minutes per game= .62 points per minute His career playoff scoring average of 30.6 ppg ranks second all-time, trailing only Michael Jordan (33.4). [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3741.jpg[/IMGl] Point Guard 25 Steve Blake 6-3, 172 6.4 ppg; 2.0 rpg; 5.0 apg Averages 6.4 points per game in 27.1 minutes per game= .24 points per minute Played in four games with the Washington Wizards during the 2004-05 playoffs, averaging 0.5 ppg. NUGGETS MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS FROM THE BENCH <u>KEY</u> Position Number Player Height Weight Points, Rebounds, and Assists Per Game Points and Minutes Notable [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3835.jpg[/IMGl] Shooting Guard 1 J.R. Smith 6-6 220 13.0 ppg; 2.3 rpg; 1.4 apg Averages 13.0 points per game in 23.4 minutes per game= .56 points per minute 3-Point Shooting %-Accuracy: .390 [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3953.jpg[/IMGl] Guard-Forward 43 Linas Kleiza 6-8 235 7.6 ppg; 3.4 rpg; 0.6 apg Averages 7.6 points per game in 18.8 minutes per game= .40 points per minute 3-Point Shooting %-Accuracy: .376 [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3663.jpg[/IMGl] Power Forward 30 Reggie Evans 6-8 245 4.9 ppg; 7.0 rpg; 0.7 apg Averages 4.9 points per game in 17.1 minutes per game= .29 points per minute Rebounding: has averaged 7.0 rebounds per game in just 17.1 minutes per game [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3437.jpg[/IMGl] Small Forward, Power Forward 21 Eduardo Najera 6-8 220 6.6 ppg; 4.1 rpg; 0.9 apg Averages 6.6 points per game in 22.1 minutes per game= .30 points per minute FG Shooting: 204-354 .576 SPURS PROBABLE STARTERS <u>KEY</u> Position Number Player Height Weight Points, Rebounds, and Assists Per Game Points and Minutes Last Game Highlights 2006-07 Highlights [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3167.jpg[/IMGl] Small Forward 12 Bruce Bowen 6-7 200 6.2 ppg; 2.7 rpg; 1.4 apg Averages 6.2 points per game in 30.0 minutes per game= .21 points per minute Last Game: 0 points, 0 rebounds in 3:39 minutes 2006-07 Season: Averaged 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 30.0 minutes … shoot .405 (189-467) from the field and .384 (89-232) from three-point range. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3173.jpg[/IMGl] Power Forward 21 Tim Duncan 6-11 260 20.0 ppg; 10.6 rpg; 3.4 apg Averages 20.0 points per game in 34.1 minutes per game= .59 points per minute Last Game: DND (rest) 2006-07 Season: Averaged 20.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 blocks in 34.1 minutes … shot .546 (612-1,119) from the field. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3364.jpg[/IMGl] Center 16 Francisco Elson 7-0 235 5.0 ppg; 4.8 rpg; 0.8 apg Averages 5.0 points per game in 19.0 minutes per game= .26 points per minute Last Game: 8 points, 1 rebound and 2 blocks in 10:11 minutes 2006-07 Season: Averaged 5.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.1 minutes … shot .511 (144-282) from the field. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3023.jpg[/IMGl] Shooting Guard 4 Michael Finley 6-7 225 9.0 ppg; 2.7 rpg; 1.3 apg Averages 9.0 points per game in 22.2 minutes per game= .41 points per minute Last Game: 7 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist in 13:26 minutes 2006-07 Season: Averaged 9.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 22.1 minutes … shot .918 (90-98) from the free-throw line. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3527.jpg[/IMGl] Point Guard 9 Tony Parker 6-2 180 18.6 ppg; 3.2 rpg; 5.5 apg Averages 18.6 points per game in 32.5 minutes per game= .57 points per minute Last Game: DND (rest) 2006-07 Season: Averaged 18.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 32.5 minutes … shot.520 (570-1,096) from the field. SPURS MOST IMPORTANT PLAYERS FROM THE BENCH <u>KEY</u> Position Number Player Height Weight Points, Rebounds, and Assists Per Game Points and Minutes Notable [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3380.jpg[/IMGl] Shooting Guard 20 Manu Ginobili 6-6 205 16.5 ppg; 4.4 rpg; 3.5 apg Averages 16.5 points per game in 27.5 minutes per game= .60 points per minute 3-Point Shooting %-Accuracy: .396 [IMGl]http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nba/players/2005/3017.jpg[/IMGl] Guard-Forward 17 Brent Barry 6-7 210 8.5 ppg; 2.1 rpg; 1.8 apg Averages 8.5 points per game in 21.4 minutes per game= .40 points per minute 3-Point Shooting %-Accuracy: .446 [IMGl]http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nba/players/2005/3988.jpg[/IMGl] Center 7 Fabricio Oberto 6-10 245 4.4 ppg; 4.7 rpg; 0.9 apg Averages 4.4 points per game in 17.2 minutes per game= .26 points per minute FG Shooting: 158-281 .562 [IMGl]http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/nba/players/2005/830.jpg[/IMGl] Power Forward 5 Robert Horry 6-10 240 3.9 ppg; 3.4 rpg; 1.1 apg Averages 3.9 points per game in 16.3 minutes per game= .24 points per minute 3-Point Shooting %-Accuracy: .336 NUGGETS RED CROSS REPORT OUT: Kenyon Martin underwent successful surgery on his right knee on 11/15 and will miss the remainder of the season. SPURS RED CROSS REPORT No Injuries THE MATCHUP BY THE NUMBERS KEY FOR TEAM STATISTICS: PPG Points Per Game (measures offense) OPG Opponents Points Per Game (measures defense) FG% % of All Shots Made (2's and 3's) 3PT% % of 3-Point Shots Made FT% % of Free Throws Made RPG Rebounds Per Game APG Assists Per Game SPG Steals Per Game BPG Blocks Per Game TO Turnovers Per Game ...............PPG. OPG. FG% 3PT% FT% RPG APG. SPG. BPG. TO NUGGETS 105.4 103.7 .465 .336. .746 43.4 23.4 8.27 5.30 16.5 SPURS..... 98.5 ..90.1 .474 .381. .751 40.7 22.1 7.16 5.09 13.9 HEAD TO HEAD MATCHUPS SMALL FORWARD MATCHUP <div align="left">[imgl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3706.jpg[/imgl] NUGGETS Small Forward 15 Carmelo Anthony 6-8, 230 28.9 ppg; 6.0 rpg; 3.8 apg Averages 28.9 points per game in 38.2 minutes per game= .76 points per minute Has appeared in 14 career playoff games with the Nuggets, averaging 18.6 ppg, 6.6 rpg and 2.5 apg. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3167.jpg[/IMGl] SPURS Small Forward 12 Bruce Bowen 6-7 200 6.2 ppg; 2.7 rpg; 1.4 apg Averages 6.2 points per game in 30.0 minutes per game= .21 points per minute 2006-07 Season: Averaged 6.2 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 30.0 minutes … shoot .405 (189-467) from the field and .384 (89-232) from three-point range. </div> POWER FORWARD MATCHUP [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3605.jpg[/IMGl] NUGGETS Power Forward 31 Nen? 6-11, 260 12.2 ppg; 7.0 rpg 1.2 apg Averages 12.2 points per game in 26.8 minutes per game= .46 points per minute Has only appeared in 10 postseason games with Denver after missing all of last year because of his knee injury. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3173.jpg[/IMGl] SPURS Power Forward 21 Tim Duncan 6-11 260 20.0 ppg; 10.6 rpg; 3.4 apg Averages 20.0 points per game in 34.1 minutes per game= .59 points per minute 2006-07 Season: Averaged 20.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.4 blocks in 34.1 minutes … shot .546 (612-1,119) from the field. CENTER MATCHUP [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3084.jpg[/IMGl] NUGGETS Center 23 Marcus Camby 6-11, 235 11.2 ppg; 11.7 rpg; 3.2 apg Averages 11.2 points per game in 33.9 minutes per game= .33 points per minute Was the starting center on the New York Knicks team that lost to the Spurs in the 1999 NBA Finals. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3364.jpg[/IMGl] SPURS Center 16 Francisco Elson 7-0 235 5.0 ppg; 4.8 rpg; 0.8 apg Averages 5.0 points per game in 19.0 minutes per game= .26 points per minute 2006-07 Season: Averaged 5.0 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.1 minutes … shot .511 (144-282) from the field. SHOOTING GUARD MATCHUP [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3094.jpg[/IMGl] NUGGETS Shooting Guard 3 Allen Iverson 6-0, 165 26.3 ppg; 3.0 rpg; 7.2 apg Averages 26.3 points per game in 42.5 minutes per game= .62 points per minute His career playoff scoring average of 30.6 ppg ranks second all-time, trailing only Michael Jordan (33.4). [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3023.jpg[/IMGl] SPURS Shooting Guard 4 Michael Finley 6-7 225 9.0 ppg; 2.7 rpg; 1.3 apg Averages 9.0 points per game in 22.2 minutes per game= .41 points per minute 2006-07 Season: Averaged 9.0 points and 2.7 rebounds in 22.1 minutes … shot .918 (90-98) from the free-throw line. POINT GUARD MATCHUP [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3741.jpg[/IMGl] NUGGETS Point Guard 25 Steve Blake 6-3, 172 6.4 ppg; 2.0 rpg; 5.0 apg Averages 6.4 points per game in 27.1 minutes per game= .24 points per minute Played in four games with the Washington Wizards during the 2004-05 playoffs, averaging 0.5 ppg. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3527.jpg[/IMGl] SPURS Point Guard 9 Tony Parker 6-2 180 18.6 ppg; 3.2 rpg; 5.5 apg Averages 18.6 points per game in 32.5 minutes per game= .57 points per minute 2006-07 Season: Averaged 18.6 points, 3.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists in 32.5 minutes … shot.520 (570-1,096) from the field.
So far the lil nba Go Nuggets post has been followed by nine wins out of ten games. Something in Memphis prevented the good luck from working. But it has brought more good luck to the Nuggets than they had in their first 72 games of the season combined. So let's see if it can get an eleventh win for 10-1. lil nba: Go Nuggets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! tremaine: Go Nuggets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The form is "Go Nuggets" followed by 32 exclamation points. I think the form must be exact for the good luck to work.
Iverson starts 0/5 and Duncan starts 0/6! This would be start of the playoffs nerves or they just need to get back in the flow after almost a week off.
Parker, Duncan, and Ginobili are a combined 7 of 33, which has got to be the worst playoff half of shooting in many, many years for these Spurs. The Nuggets have not taken full advantage because they are not defending the 3-point shooting of Barry and Finley and because they turned it over 9 times in the half. Well, it wouldn't be the Nuggets if they didn't turn it over alot. But this is an outstanding opportunity for the Nuggets to, as Iverson says, "to prove everyone wrong." Every single ESPN guy predicted the Spurs would win this series, and every single one of them had it exactly the same, 4 games to 2. If the Nuggets can win this game, though, they can keep the Spurs nervous for the whole series and have a good chance to go on to meet the Suns in the next round. We'll need A.I. and Nene to close 'em down in the 4th. George Karl is way to scared to play Evans so Camby and Nene are going to have to fight for every defensive rebound. And either Kleiza or J.R. are going to have to make a few threes. Prove everyone wrong, A.I.. Go Nuggets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Memo to George Karl and the Nuggets: you are getting killed from 3-point land. Defend the 3 and get someone in there to make some yourselves. I have spent the whole season thinking that the Nuggets were more vulnerable on 3-point shooting than on anything else versus the Texas teams, and here we are, with my worst fears starting to come true.
The guard is changing and the basketball Establishment was wrong about the Nuggets-Spurs. Very wrong. And I was not optimistic enough. I never am, so that's no surprise. If the Nuggets keep wanting it, this series is their's and it will be Suns-Nuggets in round 2. The Spurs are yesterday's team and the Nuggets are the here and now. A.I. proved 'em wrong. I'll have much more later in my game report. Go Nuggets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, go Warriors against the Mavs!
The Nuggets have to be prepared to fight a lot harder than the game today, because I have my doubt that the Spurs will shoot that bad again. Denver did their thing, but they are going to have to turn it up another level, which is something I think Allen Iverson can lead them to. Nene is the X-Factor though. He did a good job tonight. You can tell how much of an impact AI is having as well, Melo got so many more better looks than in past playoff series just from having AI.
All of the unbeatables going down Heat Spurs Mavs? Time for some new blood in the finals!!! Congrats Denver!!!!
I'm rooting for Denver in this one I really wanna see Iverson and Melo knock out the Spurs and make a run to the Finals.
Also, I think having a healthy Marcus Camby is a huge boost for Denver because he is going to cause a lot of problems for Parker when he drives. He got a hand on 2 or 3 of Parker's shots from what I saw today.
<div class="quote_poster">Swish Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Wow, Go Nuggets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! must really work.</div> Lol, I need to try it for the Warriors or Nets soon.
