<div align="center"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%"> @ </span> Venue: US Pepsi Center, Denver, CO National TV: <span style="color:red">TNT</span>Time: 10:30 pm ESTDate: Thursday, 6 April 2006 ---</div><span style="color:gold"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Los Angeles Lakers (40-35)</span></span>Projected starters<span style="color:gold">PG: Smush ParkerSG: Kobe Bryant SF: Lamar OdomPF: Brian CookC: Kwame Brown</span>Sixth man: <span style="color:gold">Luke Walton</span>Coach: <span style="color:gold">Phil Jackson</span>---<span style="color:royalblue"><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Denver Nuggets (41-34)</span></span>Projected starters<span style="color:royalblue">PG: Andre MillerSG: Ruben PattersonSF: Carmelo AnthonyPF: Kenyon MartinC: Marcus Camby</span>Sixth man: <span style="color:royalblue">Reggie Evans</span>Coach: <span style="color:royalblue">George Karl</span>---Nuggets' previous game (vs. Clippers)Well we followed our best offensive half with the worst one in this game. We scored 77 points in the first half at a blistering 80+% shooting rate, but just 32 total in the final two quarters. We blew a 22 point lead and let them get back in it in the third quarter where we were outscored 31 to 16. Melo scored 20 pts in the first half but only four in the next and he was ejected for punching the ball to the stands, act of frustration, which is good because if he's not frustrated seeing his team blow a 22 pt lead, I don't know what I'd say or feel about it. But too bad he was gone because we could have used him for a game-tying/ winning bucket when we found ourselves down by 2 points with less than 3 secs to play. Instead we went to Patterson, who had to scramble for the deflected ball, and hurried for a rushed shot. It didn't go in but I hope it taught us a lesson that any lead is never safe and showed good we can be when we pass the ball (first half) and what happens when we don't (2nd). vs. LakersThe Lakers have been playing well, winning six of their last 7 games. This coincides with Brown's recent strong play. According to DenverPost.com, he has averaged 12.2 points on 64% shooting and 8.0 rebounds in eleven games since he replaced Chris Mihm, who sprained his ankle, at the center position. No doubt Brown has sth to do with their recent success. He's been much more assertive on both ends. He doesn't let his attitude get the best of him. When he hasn't touched the ball for 3 consecutive possessions, he doesn't sulk but tries to fight for a position for a potential offensive rebound instead of sulking, which is great to see. Although he's not one of the best defenders, he's decent at it... definitely the best defensive big they got. He gives them quite a presence in the middle, he should be good for 14-16 points and 9 boards against us. He's the X factor of this game for them. Camby will be mostly on him but if he is on the bench for some reason (health or foul trouble), then we'll have to rely on Reggie Evans to contain Brown. As long as Brown isn't involved in the offense, then one of our goals is achieved. Then you have Lamar Odom. Like Brown, he has been more aggressive on both ends. But his biggest contribution for the Lakers might be his playmaking ability. As a point-forward, Scottie Pippen junior, he's doing a great job at it. He runs the break for them, he finds open shooters, he drives and kicks out. Don't forget about his own offensive skills because dude can score just about whenever he wants, whether it's driving to the rim or knocking down threes, which he has been doing very well lately. When he's active on offense, the Lakers are pretty tough to stop overall. Getting the ball out of his hands is key, I'd like Patterson on him but I think he will have the job of guarding...Kobe. Remember Patterson used to claim that he was a Kobe Stopper. I don't think he is, I don't think he thinks he is... nobody thinks he is. Hell who can stop 81? But I do think he's still pumped whenever he plays Kobe because he's the best offensive player in the world so to any man who's constantly looking for a challenge... what's better than this? I think Kobe will still drop 40+ on us tonight though... and when he does usually the Lakers are in a good position to win any game... so this game will not be quite a cakewalk for us. Then you have the X factors 2 and 3, Smush Parker and Luke Walton. Well you never know what you're going to get from them, so any extra 20-30 pts combined from them is very much welcome for them Lakers anyways. But we should focus on Brown and Odom, let Kobe do his things, and let the chips fall where they may. Offensively? We have to move the ball, that simple! Explanation? Clippers game, 'nuff said. <span style="font-size:24pt;line-height:100%"><span style="color:red">+</span></span> Nene out for the year... Boykins out indefinitely with fractured left hand... Closing comments and predictionsThis is what some of Laker fans have been saying about a potential matchup with us in the first round: :no3: :no3:Let's see, I'm predicting we'll get this easily 120-98 HA! :nasty: okay that was a joke , I think it will be much closer, 120-117. But we'll still win :rock:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Lefty @ Apr 6 2006, 01:00 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>UH OH The Kobe Stopper, Ruben Patterson, is back.HA Kobe goes for 40+, Lakers win!</div>No, Reuben will shut him down. Whne he is out, Buckner will be all up and down his grill. I am saying Kobe scores 22. Nuggets win 92 - 86.
The only person who has had success against kobe has been bowen [ actuall spurs team defense].I predict the lakers to come out slow then Odom, Kobe and the other role players pick up. Then in the 4th Kobe time. He likes owning denver.
Lakers lose, but Kobe still goes off.Don't forget it is a team game. Lakers have been playing relatively, well, but playing in Denver is always hard.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ender @ Apr 6 2006, 06:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Lakers lose, but Kobe still goes off.Don't forget it is a team game. Lakers have been playing relatively, well, but playing in Denver is always hard.</div>Yea it is. Loudest stadium in the NBA. If your there for a playoff game, it is crazy. Any basket it is comotion. You can't even talk to the person next to you.
I think Kobe has gone away from the Rose Garden.. He loves winning in the Pepsi Center because its in Denver and he gets booed everytime in there but theyve beaten Denver so many times the past three years. Anyways kenyon martin's gonna abuse brian cook, and marcus camby the same to kwame. those are my only worries.
Kobe "Clutch" Bryant will win us the GAMEHOLY <Censored>!!!!!!KOBE FOR 3 AND FOULED!!!!!OHH I thought Kobe had that one...going into OT
Wow Kobe is amazing. Buckners defense on him was awesome and he hits a shot like that.For those who missed the game Kobe Bryant was getting shut down by Greg buckner and he hits a 3 pointer while being fouled and hits the free throw for the 4 point play to put LA into overtime. that 4 point play was amazing.
Melo and his whining <Censored> hit that shot. Guess ill give him some props. He still whine about every little thing though
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lakaboy42 @ Apr 7 2006, 12:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wouldn't have been a game winner if they had someone competent passing the ball in.</div>Yeah Walton could've slipped that pass into Kobe.Odom's late play was terrible. Remember that lay up he missed, it was contested, but still he should of hit it and that would of tied the game up at the time if im not mistaken.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Lakaboy42 @ Apr 7 2006, 01:52 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Wouldn't have been a game winner if they had someone competent passing the ball in.</div>It still would have been a huge shot regardless.
Missed the game, i was at school.All i can say is Carmelo is god in the clutch and i have no idea why Walton took the shoot.edit: I saw the highlights and i saw kobe being hounded. Ok, not walton's fault. Even though he had an open look we should've won it. It's very fustrating we lost.edit: Wtf, Kobe had a 4 point play. That's like the 2nd 4 point play i've seen ever [the other being morris peterson].Walton got a clean look, he just didn't connect. Did anyone see Kobe being held back when luke was trying to inbound it? And Carmelo getting such an easy look? Why didn't Phil tell the lakers to hound carmelo?
