Game: Nov 6: Nuggets at Knicks

tremaine · Nov 6, 2007

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November 2, 2007 @ 7:30 EST, 5:30 pm MST
Madison Square Garden, New York City
ALT TV, KKFN Radio
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Denver Nuggets
(2-1)


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New York Knicks
(1-1)


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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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PG Allen Iverson SG Yakhouba Diawara

SF Carmelo AnthonyPF Nene C Marcus Camby


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PG Stephon Marbury SG Jamal Crawford

SF Quentin Richardson PF Zach Randolph C Eddy Curry


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<h4>Season Stats</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>102.3PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>42.9%</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>30.5%</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>51.0 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>23.3 APG</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>101.5PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>46.8%</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>44.8%</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>38.5 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>19.0 APG</td>
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<h4>Season Team Leaders</h4>
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<td class="strong">Points</td>
<td>Anthony 28.3 PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>Camby 19.0 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Iverson 10.0 APG</td>
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<td class="strong">Points</td>
<td>Jamal Crawford 24.5 PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>Zach Randolph 12.0 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Jamal Crawford 6.5 APG</td>
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<h4>Key Matchup: PF - Nene (& Kenyon Martin) v Zach Randolph</h4>

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Zach Randolph came to the Knicks from the Trailblazers in the off-season, and is one of the better power forwards in the league. Nene is still not up to full speed yet and Martin is limited to no more than 22 minutes and is still a little rusty. Randolph, who is a jump shooter as well as a penetrator, has a good shot at a good or great game against these Nuggets defenders. The Nuggets are looking for even more from Nene in this game than he showed against the Hornets, 12 points and 6 rebounds in 21 minutes, which was the first game he showed much of anything this season. Another Key Matchup is at PG Allen Iverson vs Stephon Marbury. Marbury and Iverson both started in the NBA in 1996. Most would agree that Marbury’s last really good year was 2004-05; the last two years he has been slower and less productive than before. And Marbury is off to a slow start in the Knicks first two games this year. Overall, Marbury has had a good career, but Iverson has had a hall of fame great one. But Marbury will bring a lot more experience playing point guard to this game than Iverson has.

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<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
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<ul>[*]Stay Cool and Confident - The Nuggets have to remain cool and confident as they start what will most likely be a long and slow process of building their offensive strategy for the playoffs. There are going to be a lot more offensive breakdowns similar to the one in the Hornets game. The objective is to all but eliminate offensive breakdowns by the start of the playoffs. The NBA season has more than 5 months still to run, and that is more than enough time to get everyone on the same page.

[*]Contain Zach Randolph - As mentioned above, this will be critical. If you get lazy dealing with this guy, he can burn you from many spots on the floor. You can go for steals against Randolph. You can also try to get him in foul trouble if the refs are calling a close game.

[*]This game especially, make sure Melo gets a lot of possessions.- Players such as Quentin Richardson and Reynaldo Balkman are no match for Carmelo Anthony. This can be a great night for Anthony as he and the Nuggets return to the scene of the crimes that caused the long suspensions.
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<ul>[*]Double Team Melo or Iverson - Pick one and double him from time to time or, in the case of Iverson, you might simply try to force steals and bad passes as well. Iverson is getting little or no rest time these days, and you can wear any player out who plays 45 or more minutes faster by playing a harassing, intense style of defense. I’d double team Melo because Quentin Richardson is going to need help guarding Melo.

[*]Total Green Light for Jamal Crawford- The Nuggets are reeling from three point guard injuries and Crawford should try to take full advantage of the situation. Since the Nuggets are a poor 3-point shot defending team, Crawford should try to take advantage of that as well. Quentin Richardson and Stephon Marbury should also be on the lookout for open looks from behind the 3-point line.
[*]Defensively, worry about Nene more than Kenyon Martin at this point Nene is now starting over Kenyon Martin. Make sure someone quickly picks up Nene on any pick and rolls, and make sure you box him out for rebounds whenever possible. Nene is not as good a rebounder as Camby is, and Camby can’t play 48 minutes, so you can try to dominate the boards when Camby is out and try to use that to go on a run. As everyone knows, it is relatively easy to go on 6-12 point runs on the Nuggets.
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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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<td>Home Team X Factor </td>
<td>Road Team X Factor </td>
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<h4>Prediction</h4>
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The Nuggets are one of the most unpredictable regular season teams in the League for the second year in a row, and plus it’s very early in the season, so any prediction on how well they are going to play is only an educated guess. PG Mike Wilks is questionable. If he does not play, the Knicks in Madison Square Garden could take this game. In order to avoid having a player on the court who is a lot less rested than the one he is guarding, no player should be playing 47 minutes, including Allen Iverson, but that is exactly what A.I. will be doing again if Wilks is out. If Wilks plays, I like the Nuggets in this game because Carmelo Anthony should have a big scoring and rebounding night here and Isaiah Thomas apparently does not have much firepower on his bench available. To win, though, even with Wilks in, the Nuggets need at least two solid games from any of two of their players other than Camby, A.I., and Melo, unless one of those three blows up, in which case they still need at least one other solid game from somebody. Don't tick me off GK: if Wilks can't play, get Von Wafer out there for 12-15 minutes or more if he's good.

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NUGGETS INJURIES
OUT: Anthony Carter suffered a 3rd metacarpal fracture on his right hand and underwent successful surgery on 10/10. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks
OUT: Chucky Atkins suffered a severe right groin strain at Phoenix on 10/25 and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
QUESTIONABLE: Mike Wilks suffered a right hamstring strain vs. New Orleans on 11/4 and is considered questionable for tonight’s game.
KNICKS INJURIES:
QUESTIONABLE: Nate Robinson: Mild Strained Right Hamstring
DOUBTFUL: Jerome James: Left Knee Tendinitis
OUT: Jared Jeffries: Sprained Right ACL and Bone Bruise

cpawfan · Nov 6, 2007

Kenyon most likely isn't going to play in this one. He is only allowed to play 1 game in back to backs, so Karl wants to save him for the Boston game.

CelticKing · Nov 6, 2007

That sucks for us if it happens cpaw. lol

How long till JR switches to the starting lineup?

Answer_AI03 · Nov 6, 2007

at this point who knows...

cpawfan · Nov 6, 2007

JR would have to be on his best behavior for a couple of weeks before Karl would even consider it.

pegs · Nov 6, 2007

I'll be watching some of this. Especially if the Nugs are winning, and Melo's doin some good.

Oh yeah, and I'm with cpawfan--I'm very doubtful that JR will start just yet. Give him a few more weeks before Karl even thinks about.

I love the big man matchups in this game. Nene+Camby vs. Randolph+Curry, along with the energy guys, Najera vs. Lee.

CelticKing · Nov 6, 2007

Nene + Camby should win vs Randolph + Curry.

LakerBlood · Nov 6, 2007

I'm putting my money on Denver,

Also rooting them!

shookem · Nov 6, 2007

It should be a high scoring game. The Nugs will have to watch out for the Knicks from beyond the arc.

This is only the Knicks second game?

Answer_AI03 · Nov 6, 2007

I put money on this game too. Pretty small spread in this one

Answer_AI03 · Nov 6, 2007

Finally we're seeing some JR smith in the game. Looks like hes hitting some shots so far.

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Game: Nov 6: Nuggets at Knicks

tremaine To Win, Be Like Fitz

cpawfan Monsters do exist

CelticKing The Green Monster

Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

cpawfan Monsters do exist

pegs My future wife.

CelticKing The Green Monster

LakerBlood M.V.P

shookem Still not a bust

Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

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Game: Nov 6: Nuggets at Knicks

tremaine To Win, Be Like Fitz

cpawfan Monsters do exist

CelticKing The Green Monster

Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

cpawfan Monsters do exist

pegs My future wife.

CelticKing The Green Monster

LakerBlood M.V.P

shookem Still not a bust

Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

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