Details: When: Tuesday, November 9th Where: Pepsi Center, Denver Time (Seattle): 6:00 TV: FSN, League Pass Projected Starters: <font color="green">Seattle (2-1)</font> Luke Ridnour Ray Allen Rashard Lewis Reggie Evans Jerome James <font color="RoyalBlue">Denver (1-3)</font> Andre Miller Greg Buckner Carmelo Anthony Kenyon Martin Marcus Camby Injury Troubles: <font color="green">Seattle</font> Vitaly Potapenko: Broken hand, ruled out. Ibo Kutluay: Knee tendinitis, ruled out. Flip Murray: Quadricep strain, ruled out. <font color="RoyalBlue">Denver</font> Nikoloz Tskitishvili: Strained hamstring, unlikely. Arthur Johnson: Knee tendinitis, unlikely. Mark Pope: Knee tendinitis, unlikely. Brief Notes: <ul> [*]The Sonics aim to build on a huge win over San Antonio against the struggling Nuggets, who are coming off a loss to the Jazz. Traditionally Seattle don't play well in the high altitudes of Colorado, and will have to be wary of a Denver starting frontcourt of Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby. [/list] <ul> [*]Last time these teams met, Carmelo Anthony (who is currently shooting 22-81 from the field) broke the 40 point barrier in a high scoring Nuggets win. Reserve Richie Frahm also hit for 31 points on 10-11 shooting in an earlier win in Denver. [/list] <ul> [*]Danny Fortson had 15 points and 13 boards against the Spurs, and will be asked to team with Reggie Evans to do a job on Martin, while Antonio Daniels will see court time on the versatile and big bodied Andre Miller. [/list] <ul> [*]A win here would make it two wins over two teams expected to contend for the championship for the Sonics, who have had low expectations in the media. They then return home to play the Kings in the second of this back-to-back set. [/list] All predictions, analysis and discussion relating directly to the game, both before, during and after, to be posted in this thread.
I'm liking the Seattle Supersonics basketball franchise is the game. Denver is lacking the perimeter firepower to seriously worry us, so we can pack the paint, double-team Melo and generally kick booty. I'm tipping R. Allen to bring the handsome.
It should be interesting to see what Melo brings to the table tonight. He has played against some strong defense these last past few games, going up against Trenton Hassell in the game vs Minny. And then Utah's team defense these last 2 games, so he might have some better looks at the basket against Seattle. So We might get to see if its the Defense that been giving Carmelo the problems or is it Melo's poor shot selection. I think its a combination of things also it doesnt help that Voshun Lenard isnt in the lineup to stretch the defense and create some driving lanes for Melo. I think Ray Allen should have a big game, with the absense of Lenard the Nuggets have been forced to go with the small backourt of Earl Boykins & Andre Miller, so Ray should have a field day when that lineup is on the court. Also Byron Russell has made is way into the Nuggets rotation for shooting reasons, he used to be a good perimeter defender. But now he is to slow to keep up with someone like Ray,so the only person they really have that can stay infront of Allen is Greg Buckner. But how many minutes can they use him, if he isnt giving them anything on the offensive end. This is a winnable game for the Sonics. But I think Kenyon Martin is going to be a beast on the inside tonight on the boards, now that he isnt matched up against KG or Boozer. So Iam taking Denver in a close one, despite how bad they have look this year. I think at home where their fastbreak game is at its best against a team that takes alot of long jumpshots, they should be able to get out in the opencourt and create some easy baskets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> DENVER (Ticker) -- The Seattle SuperSonics' high-scoring duo was enough to add to the Denver Nuggets' early season woes. Rashard Lewis and Ray Allen combined to score 57 points as the SuperSonics handed the Nuggets their third consecutive loss, 108-88. </div> Full Story courtesy of NBA.com Sonics dismantle the Nuggets for their third win in a row. Team looked great throughout. Our big two did their job and so did everyone else. I'm liking Danny Fortson more and more by the second...the guy is tenacious in the paint on offense and defense, great addition this year. Sonics are really clicking right now.
Denver cant guard nobody, thats why they cant really get out in the opencourt. And get their fastbreak game going. Only 17 fastbreak points for a team like Denver against a jumpshooting team like Seattle isnt enuff. And that because they arent doing a good job of denying teams good looks at the basket. I'am really shocked that Kenyon Martin hasnt had an effect on their team defense, the way I figured he would this season. Anyway its still early, congrats to you guys Sonics.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Henacy:</div><div class="quote_post">Denver cant guard nobody, thats why they cant really get out in the opencourt. And get their fastbreak game going. Only 17 fastbreak points for a team like Denver against a jumpshooting team like Seattle isnt enuff. And that because they arent doing a good job of denying teams good looks at the basket. I'am really shocked that Kenyon Martin hasnt had an effect on their team defense, the way I figured he would this season. Anyway its still early, congrats to you guys Sonics.</div> Gee, thanks, it's good to know we can win when the other team sucks.
Very happy with this game, despite their form slump at the moment winning in Colorado is never an easy task, and the Supes made it look easy. Very happy with Luke, Nate kept the faith and he's slowly starting to repay it - and the most pleasing aspect is he did it on a bigger, more physical point guard in Dre Miller. Ray was Ray, but what I am loving is Rashard's form. Granted it's only been four games, but the bottom line is he has been so consistent. Not 30 points here and 10 there, he is hitting the mid 20s every night, and he is shooting the ball well. If he can stay consistent, and not slip back to his old ways, he will make us Radmanovic fans look pretty silly. Bring on Sacramento.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post"> Ray was Ray, but what I am loving is Rashard's form. Granted it's only been four games, but the bottom line is he has been so consistent. Not 30 points here and 10 there, he is hitting the mid 20s every night, and he is shooting the ball well. If he can stay consistent, and not slip back to his old ways, he will make us Radmanovic fans look pretty silly. </div> The fun thing is that Radman is also improved his game. He isn't taking only jump shots anymore, he is actually driving hard to the basket and scoring on drives. I'm yet to see game against Denver but against SA he was (in my opinion) great. But it's hard to take SF spot when Lewis is playing like an All-Star. And also it's hard to take PF spot, when Evans and Fortson are gods on the boards. I hope that Radman can keep his good game and when he has a chance (and that chance will come sooner or later), then he will respond! I'm very happy for our 3-1 record so far! It's a pleasant surprise. Sonics could be one of the biggest surprises in NBA this year. I think we all hope so!
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Semmi:</div><div class="quote_post">The fun thing is that Radman is also improved his game. He isn't taking only jump shots anymore, he is actually driving hard to the basket and scoring on drives. I'm yet to see game against Denver but against SA he was (in my opinion) great. But it's hard to take SF spot when Lewis is playing like an All-Star. And also it's hard to take PF spot, when Evans and Fortson are gods on the boards. I hope that Radman can keep his good game and when he has a chance (and that chance will come sooner or later), then he will respond!</div> Yeah, Radman has definitely stepped up his play thus far. Had a couple of 20 point games and also a good second-half against the Spurs, if I'm not mistaken. Also shooting at a vastly higher percentage than he has previously (of course, early days yet, but it's a good sign). They way we're going, we're going to have one of the best second units in the competition with Daniels, Radman, Fortson and still Flip to come back.
I can't ask for more from this ball club. I'm glad to see that Ridnour had a game that he can get confidence from. Rashard Lewis is really impressing me right now. I guess he's really benefitting from not practicing (foot injury). This start is amazing to me. Most other years the Sonics have started strong they were beating good/bad teams at home and bad teams on the road. That is still the case so far but the Sonics have been blowing teams (some good some bad) out. They went from having no chemistry in the preseason and the first game to looking like one of the most cohesive units in the league. I don't know how we're doing this but I'm not complaining in the least. Go Supes. :bigthumbu
