<div align="center"> Denver Nuggets: 14-15 Los Angeles Lakers: 15-12 Date: Sunday, January 2nd Time: 6:30 PM TV: FSN, NBALP Previous Games: Sixers @ Nuggets 97-92 (WIN) Raptors @ Lakers 117-99 (WIN) <font color="#7AB4E7"><font size="1">(Coach Michael Cooper)</font></font> C - <font color="#7AB4E7">Marcus Camby</font> (8.8 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.6 APG) PF - <font color="#7AB4E7">Kenyon Martin</font> (15.2 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.1 APG) SF - <font color="#7AB4E7">Carmelo Anthony</font> (21.5 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.2 APG) SG - <font color="#7AB4E7">Greg Buckner</font> (6.6 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.1 APG) PG - <font color="#7AB4E7">Andre Miller</font> (15.0 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 6.0 APG) <font size="4">VS</font> <font color="purple"><font size="1">(Coach Rudy Tomjanovich)</font></font> C - <font color="Purple">Chris Mihm</font> (10.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 0.5 APG) PF - <font color="Purple">Lamar Odom</font> (14.7 PPG, 10.7 RPG, 2.6 APG) SF - <font color="Purple">Caron Butler</font> (13.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.3 APG) SG - <font color="Purple">Kobe Bryant</font> (28.4 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 7.1 APG) PG - <font color="Purple">Chucky Atkins</font> (11.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.8 APG) NUGGETS - <font color="#7AB4E7">Earl Boykins</font> Predicted Stats: 12 points, 0 rebounds, 4 assists LAKERS - <font color="purple">Jumaine Jones</font> Predicted Stats: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist NUGGETS - <font color="#7AB4E7">Carmelo Anthony</font> Predicted Stats: 24 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists LAKERS - <font color="purple">Kobe Bryant</font> Predicted Stats: 40 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists</div> Camby, Martin, and Buckner are all questionable for tonight's game against the Lakers. Do I expect them to be in uniform? Sure do...but injuries don't just go away that quickly. The Nuggets are a walking miracle. With injuries hitting everyone but Andre Miller this season, Denver has still managed to stay really close to a .500 team, and holding on tightly to that 8th playoff spot in the West. I know I'm clueless as to how it's done, but I believe it has something to do with Miller and a "little big man" off the bench, Earl Boykins. Earl Boykins. What a funny little guy. But don't laugh at him...don't call him names. Don't get your pleasure from his pain...because the smallest player in the league can burn you all night. If Boykins gets hot, we may have to pull Bobbitt off the bench tonight (activate, Rudy...crickets chirping). Otherwise, it could be a shootout between Earl and Atkins, something the Lakers don't want to get involved in. Speaking of injuries, we've had our share...but Kobe Bryant walks into STAPLES tonight with a bad shoulder, suffered in the Toronto game last week. Even though he scored 48 points while injured (what's new), he could be feeling the injury more than ever tonight. Hopefully, our "average superstar" is healed from plantar fasciitis (which is causing his heel pain) and has enough movement in his shoulder to drop another 40+ against the Nuggets. Depending on Camby's health...the Nuggets will more than likely be flipping the "Crash Boards" option on high against Los Angeles. Mihm's rebounding has been declining ever since the first Nuggets game, but for Chris' sake, he'll step up and bring the "A" game he packed with him for the last meeting, and the Lakers should come off as tough to beat on the defensive (and offensive) glass. The matchup that everyone will have their eyes on will be Caron and Melo. Don't be shocked if, by the second quarter, Kobe is guarding Melo and Caron gets stuck on the perimeter against Buckner. If Anthony attacks the rim more than usual, it could put Mihm in foul trouble...so we may be seeing Grant come in and hold the fort down with his 100 year-old knees and Predator-style haircut. Don't let that description fool you, Nuggets fans, because Grant is a beast from the East...and can still bang with the more physical, thicker centers (sorry Camby...this may not be your night). The Nuggets upset the Sixers...yes...upset, but I doubt they've forgotten that they were on a 5-game skid before that. I'll give props for beating Iverson and Korver...it was actually a two-man show the entire game...but it's going to be much tougher against a Laker squad that may still be bragging about the 89-78 win at the beginning of November. Denver won't hold on to any lead they pull in this game, and the Lakers should run away with it in the fourth, and eventually close the game with a win, 92-83.
Nice Preview Real Deal To add, an interesting side story to this game is Michael Cooper's return to L.A. He's had so much success in this city, as a player, as a coach, and some of u outside of L.A. may not realize, but as a TV personality on a local sports show as well. He's loved by this city, and I'm sure he's gonna get a warm ovation during introductions. As for the game itself, it will by won on the glass IMO ... hopefully the long layoff doesn't affect the Lakers' rhythm early
Great preview and analysis, Brandon. I think Denver's ability to stay at no. 8 in the West has been for the defensive plays of their big men, Camby and Martin. Teams find it hard to penetrate. Now with both of them out, I expect the scorers to run more and push the ball... in other words, might as well be offensive-minded when your three defensive players are out (Buckner, Martin, Camby). And don't belittle Boykins lol that guy can bench 315 pounds! Article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/play...ives/index.html That said, Kobe seems to play well against the Nuggets, especially in Denver. I remember him dropping 50 pts there two seasons ago when he was on that 9 straight 40+ pt games. In this game, I think Kobe will score 32+ pts with 5 assists and 8 rebounds. Yeah, and I expect Melo to attack the rim more like you said, he's been shooting jumpers with below average results. With the rebounders out, he'll have to take higher percentage shots. Melo's line at the end of the game: 44 pts, 7 rebds, 7 assists he's due for a breakout, he's mad because the spotlight's been all on LeBron and Dwyane... he'll bust out. My prediction: I think Denver is on the roll so you know my prediction... with Coach Cooper on the sideline, the Nuggets'll pick up their defensive intensity and make it a tough long night for Lakers' three point shooters. Help defense will always focus on the driving Kobe... Denver by 12, 100-88.
My prediction: I think Denver is on the roll[/QUOTE] Chuckle.....they just got off a 6 game loosing streak barely by beating the sixers.. Anyways....Lakers should win by lets say 6 points but it won't be a blow out....should be a close game through out....Lakers team is more organized and well healthier right now which is the deciding factor.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Billa_Bong:</div><div class="quote_post">Chuckle.....they just got off a 6 game loosing streak barely by beating the sixers.. </div> But more importantly, they won it by staying poise down the stretch. Excellent D, smart plays, teamwork. That's all you can ask for from your team, doesn't matter if they won it ugly or in a blowout. Your players must buy into the system and they do Cooper's.
Oh, I got scared in the 4th..Thought they were gonna blow that 3rd quarter lead they built up. Kobe, Caron, and Co hit those FT's in the end to seal it.... I hate the way the Lakers allow teams to get back into games in the 4th.
Carmelo is a pretty dumb player, I just don't understand the guys basketball logic, at least he got to the line 14 times, but he takes stupid shots. I haven't seen any improvement from him comparing last season to this one, and even in his numbers I don't think he's improved. I didn't know Camby was out with something, but you can never know with Camby. Anyways, okay game, not great, not bad, Kobe destroyed in the game offensively, and Odom got the shots but didn't shot too well today, but he got them. I think Kobe has had a few 40 point games lately, a lot of offensive fouls for him in the game.
