SAN ANTONIO SPURS VS. DENVER NUGGETS 2007 NBA PLAYOFFS - WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND 1 Nuggets 95 Spurs 89; Nuggets Lead the Series 1-0 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* Wed May 2 Denver at San Antonio TBD TBD 6* Fri May 4 San Antonio at Denver TBD TBD 7* Sun 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 30.0 8.0 0.0 His 30 points at San Antonio in Game 1 represent the first time he has scored 30+ points in a playoff game. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3605.jpg[/IMGl] Power Forward 31 Nen 6-11, 260 13.0 12.0 2.0 Recorded the first postseason double-double of his career with 13 points and 12 boards in Game 1 at San Antonio. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3084.jpg[/IMGl] Center 23 Marcus Camby 6-11, 235 8.0 10.0 3.0 With his 10 rebounds in Game 1, he has now collected 10+ boards in 12 of his last 14 postseason appearances. [IMGl]http://espn-ak.starwave.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3094.jpg[/IMGl] Shooting Guard 3 Allen Iverson 6-0, 165 31.0 1.0 5.0 With a team-high 31 points in Game 1, he has now led his team in scoring in seven-consecutive playoff games. [IMGl]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/nba/profiles/players/65x90/3741.jpg[/IMGl] Point Guard 25 Steve Blake 6-3, 172 7.0 4.0 3.0 Set personal playoff career-highs for points, rebounds, assists and minutes played during Game 1. 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 2007 Playoffs Highlights 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: 5 points and 1 assist 2007 Playoffs: Shot 2-of-3, including 1-of-2 from three-point range in 19:04 minutes in Game 1. [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: 14 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks 2007 Playoffs: Connected on only 7-of-17 shots in Game 1 after shooting .546 from the field during the regular season. [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: 0 points and 4 rebounds 2007 Playoffs: Only attempted one field-goal in Game 1 in 13:18 minutes to go along with three fouls. [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: 15 points 2007 Playoffs: Led the Spurs by connecting on 3-of-7 three-point attempts in Game 1, including 6-of-13 overall from the field. [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: 19 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists and 2 steals 2007 Playoffs: Led the Spurs in points, assists and steals in Game 1 … connected on 8-of-20 shots 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 ten wins out of eleven 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 11-1. 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.
This would be a pretty tough gime for you, since it's very unlikely that Parke, Manu and Duncan would have bad shooting nights again. But, you still have a big chance of pulling out an upset.
Both teams come out cold. I knew the Nuggets would start out cold, but I am amazed the Spurs are cold, which is keeping the Nuggets in the game. This may not be a Spurs rout after all.
The nuggets are really playing like the better team. They would be up right now if they hit every lay up, which they usually would. They just need to keep up the intensity on defense and the offense will eventually come back.
The Nuggets are very lucky to be down by only 8 points at the half. The Spurs are up by 8 but should be up by at least 18. The Spurs are still off their game and have been unable to slow it down to their usual pace. They seem to be still stunned by the loss in game 1 and, as a result, are in danger of losing game 2 if they can't get their act together.
84-71 Spurs with 6 1/2 minutes left. Now there is a last chance for the Nuggets in the final 6 minutes to make it more respectable, but with no J.R. Smith playing, and with Kleiza not hitting, the Nuggets have little chance to win it.
I just wanted the score to be under 10, so I got what little I was asking for. The Nuggets should have lost by at least 20. The Nuggets were bad in this game, but the Spurs are still in trouble in this series. I'll explain later in my game report.
The Nuggets missed 11 layups in the first HALF!! if they had made every lay up this would have been the Nuggets game no problem. The exact opposite from game 1...
