<div align="center"> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:#6CAEDF"><span style="font-family:Impact">Denver</span> </span></span><span style="color:#6CAEDF">(41-28)</span> vs. <span style="color:#c8362d"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact">Toronto</span></span></span> <span style="color:#c8362d">(35-34)</span> </div> <div align="center"> When: Sunday March 23rd, 2007 @ 3:30PM EST Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, ON TV/Radio: CBC, FAN 590 </div> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"> <span style="font-family:Impact"><u>GAME PREVIEW</u></span></div></span> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>A streak like the Toronto Raptors are on would probably remove the Denver Nuggets from playoff contention in the Western Conference. But while the Raptors are likely safe in their pursuit of a postseason berth, the Nuggets will hope to make up ground in their race when they visit Toronto on Sunday. Despite dropping six of their last seven games, the Raptors (35-34) are in sixth place in the East, maintaining at least a five-game lead over a number of teams battling for the conference’s final playoff spot. A loss Sunday would drop them to .500 for the first time since early January. Denver (41-28) has won six more games than Toronto, but trails Golden State by 1 1/2 games for the West’s final postseason berth. The Nuggets still have two more games this season against the Warriors, who visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Denver opened a five-game road trip with losses at Detroit and Philadelphia before beating New Jersey 125-114 on Friday. “We’ve been struggling,” Nuggets guard Allen Iverson said. “… We just wanted to do anything to get a win.” Iverson had 21 of his 26 points in the second half against the Nets, adding nine assists one game after a loss in his emotional return to Philadelphia. Linas Kleiza had 23 points on 9-of-11 shooting off the bench Friday. The Nuggets, who scored at least 100 points for the 10th straight game but gave up 100 for the fifth in a row, blew a 17-point lead in the third quarter only to rebound with a 14-1 run in the fourth quarter. “Welcome to Denver Nuggets land,” coach George Karl said. “We play so fast, sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s dangerous.” The Raptors couldn’t keep up with the Nuggets on March 14 in Denver, as Iverson led six Nuggets in double figures with 28 points in a 137-105 win. But Toronto played that game without leading scorer and rebounder Chris Bosh. Most of Toronto’s recent struggles have come both on the road and without Bosh, who returned from a 10-game absence due to a knee injury in Wednesday’s 96-54 win over Miami. The team was 2-8 without him. The Raptors have played only three games in March at Air Canada Centre, where they’ve won six of their last eight, and Bosh appeared at full strength with 24 points in 37 minutes in a 90-83 loss at Cleveland on Friday. “You have to factor that this was his second game back and he’s only had one practice,” Raptors guard Anthony Parker said. “A lot of it is timing for him. He’s going to be a lot better as the season goes on.” Toronto shot just 39.5 percent and was outrebounded 51-35 against the Cavaliers, but still led by four points after three quarters. “As disappointed as I am, it’s hard to be upset, because we did most of the things we wanted to do, we just didn’t shoot the ball well,” Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. The Raptors have lost six of seven against the Nuggets, with the only win a 121-94 victory in Toronto exactly one year ago Sunday. Iverson and Carmelo Anthony combined to shoot 6-of-27 from the field in that game, which Denver played without Marcus Camby and Kenyon Martin.</div> <div align="center">Source: Yahoo!Sports</div> <span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>STARTING LINEUPS</u></span></div></span> <div align="center"> <span style="color:#6CAEDF">Anthony Carter - Allen Iverson - Carmelo Anthony - Kenyon Martin - Marcus Camby</span> <span style="color:#c8362d">Jose Calderon - Anthony Parker - Jamario Moon - Chris Bosh - Andrea Bargnani </span></div> <span style="font-family:Impact"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><div align="center"><u>KEY MATCHUP</u></div></span></span> <div align="center"> <span style="color:#6CAEDF">Marcus Camby</span> vs. <span style="color:#c8362d">Andrea Bargnani</span></div> Andrea's played like crap lately after a month or so where he looked like he was ready to bounce back from his sophomore slump. Against Cleveland, we had the same issue of him not being able to stay out on the floor. The Nuggets have a similarly imposing frontcourt, so its really all on Bargs to pick himself up and address the mistakes he made on Friday. I'm looking for him to commit himself to boxing out on the boards, really using his length to grab rebounds (instead of tipping them), and continue attacking the basket like he has recently (hopefully with a more accurate shooting stroke). The season's coming to a close and we can't keep trotting out a lineup with the mentality that Andrea needs to develop in the starting lineup if it continues to hinder the team. Bargnani has to show that he's more worthy of that starting spot than Rasho. <div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>PREDICTION</u></span></span></div> <div align="center">I'm not expecting a win. I am hoping for signs that this is a legitimate playoff team though.</div>
<div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"><span style="font-family:Impact"><u>"Sexy sex girl in the sex"</div></span></span></u> <div align="center"></div>
Honestly guys, I'm tired of watching a team that's become just another argument for eliminating conferences. Its time for the Raps to show they belong in the playoffs (I know I'm repeating my game preview here, but its all I really got to say).
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (shookem @ Mar 23 2008, 11:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Damn, right in the middle of family dinner.</div> ahaha im going to brunch for 1 then i should be home for the game, sadly ill miss some college basketball
It's so simple to defeat the Nuggets with their dumb offense. All you have to do is disrupt Iverson, mostly by doubling him as necessary. You don't have to worry about Carter much, and how many teams has Carmelo Anthony beaten on his own this year? Maybe 5. There is no Plan B for the Nuggets; the coaches have put it all on Iverson and will blame everything on Iverson if the Nuggets fail. If Iverson is shut down then there is nothing left for the Denver offense but the sound of crickets chirping.
Man the Raptors are stinking it up in the last month....I am so frustrated as a dedicated fan right now, like beating scrub teams is not satisfying at all. I read that the last team we beat with a record above .500 was Orlando on February 22nd.
