Date: April 1st Time: 8:30 (mtn) Place: Pepsi Center TV: Altitude, ESPN Coaches George Karl/Greg Poppavich Projected Starting Lineups <font color="Blue">Andre Miller Mpg-35.5 FG%-47 3pt%-16 FT%-82 rpg-4.2 apg-6.5 spg-1.44 ppg-13.6</font> <font color="Slate Gray">Tony Parker Mpg-34.3 FG%-45 3pt%-31 FT%-65 rpg-3.9 apg-6.1 spg-1.3 ppg-16.7</font> Every matchup here is a pivotal one. Miller vs. Parker is no exception. They both have similar stats playing the point and are very similar players. Andre Miller is not the same player that he was in Cleveland but he is still a huge part of the Nuggets’ success. Parker, one of the most creative point guards in the pro game, will have his hands full trying to cut off Andre’s drive. Cutting off the drive is also something that Andre must keep on his mind if he expects to take over the game. Parker is one of the fastest players in the game and containing him will be a big issue for Miller. <font color="Slate Gray">Advantage-Parker</font> <font color="Blue">DerMarr Johnson Mpg-16.7 FG%-48 3pt%-33 FT%-81 rpg-2 apg-1.1 spg-.47 ppg-6.7</font><font color="SlateGray"> Manu Ginobili Mpg-26.7 FG%-44 3pt%-35 FT%-79 rpg-3.8 apg-3.2 spg-1.67 ppg-16</font> Since the arrival of Karl DerMarr Johnson has stepped up his game. Both his scoring and passing has improved and he really seems to be buying into what Karl is selling him. However, Johnson is still nothing more than a bench player. As good as he is, he is no Vo Lenard and there is nothing he can do about that. Manu Ginobili is have an exceptional year, too bad the Nuggets could not grab him this season. He has become a huge part of what the Spurs are doing this year. A very versatile player, he is a danger when he decides to create. <font color="SlateGray">Advantage-Ginobili</font> <font color="Blue">Carmelo Anthony Mpg-34.7 FG%-42 3pt%-28 FT%-78 rpg-5.6 apg-2.8 spg-1 ppg-20.1</font> <font color="SlateGray">Bruce Bowen Mpg-31.9 FG%-42 3pt%-40 FT%-64 rpg-3.5 apg-1.5 spg-.69 ppg-6.9</font> The matchup of the game. When these two teams met on national team earlier in the season, I said that this will be a struggle the whole game, and who ever wins that struggle will win the game. Unfortunately, Bowen won it last time. He did a great job of controlling the dangerous Anthony. On that January 8th day, Carmelo was not himself. He was not playing the type of ball that we all know he can. Since the arrival of George Karl, Carmelo has stepped up his game and is looking better than ever. I believe that Karl has smacked some sense into Anthony, and Carmelo realizes what it takes to take over the league. Carmelo is simply a better player now then he was then and I believe that it will on the court, and on the scoreboard. <font color="Blue">Advantage-Melo</font> <font color="Blue">Bryon Russell Mpg-15.8 FG%-38 3pt%-38 FT%-79 rpg-2.7 apg-1.1 spg-.67 ppg-4.9</font> <font color="SlateGray">Robert Horry Mpg-17.4 FG%-38 3pt%-38 FT%-79 rpg-2.7 apg-1.1 spg-.72 ppg-5.8</font> Two players playing in place of an injured superstar. Two players trying to prove that they still have what it takes to be a serious player in this league. Here is both of their chances. You can expect a battle of heart between these two. It should be exciting to see what happens. <font color="SlateGray">Advantage-Horry</font> <font color="Blue">Marcus Camby Mpg-30.8 FG%-46 3pt%-0 FT%-70 rpg-10.1 apg-2.2 spg-.95 ppg-10.4</font> <font color="SlateGray">Rasho Nesterevic Mpg-25.5 FG%-45 3pt%-0 FT%-42 rpg-6.7 apg-1 spg-.43 ppg-5.7</font> The Camby man can. The Camby man can. Marcus Camby is having yet another career season with the Denver Nuggets. Averaging a double-double Marcus is proving that the contract he signed at the beginning of the year was well worth it. He is a good scorer and a fantastic shotblocker. So is Rasho. He has a huge wing-spand, and he does great things with it. <font color="SlateGray">Advantage-Marcus Camby</font> Key Matchup <font color="Blue">Nuggets team statistics Games PPG APG SPG 70 98.2 23.4 9.3 Opponents Games PPG APG SPG 70 96.6 21.4 7.7</font> <font color="SlateGray">Spurs team Statistics Games PPG APG SPG 71 96.4 21.8 7.6 Opponents Games PPG APG SPG 71 86.8 16.4 7.1</font> Keys to the game <font color="Blue">-Control the Boards. This is a must for the Nuggets is they plan to run the Spurs out of the building. -Carmelo, play your game. This game can take a turn for the worst if Carmelo allows Bowen to knock him back into his old habbits -The Nuggets must use the crowd and the elevation to their advantage. </font> <font color="SlateGray">-Get control early. The Spurs must take the Nuggets and the crowd out of the game early -Play your game. Don’t start playing the Nuggets’ style of basketball or you will lose. No questions asked. -Somebody must make up for the absence of Tim Duncan</font> Prediction I believe the Nuggets will take over this game. The way that they have been playing no one can stop them. Especially the Duncan-less Spurs. Coming off a well fought battle with the Utah Jazz the Nuggets are as hot as ever and will steam roll anyone who gets in their way.
Great preview tho you messed up the team logos it should be Spurs @ DN lol the game is midway 2nd quarter and our lead is 15... Camby already had 10 pts, 5 rebounds, and his usual outstanding stat of all 3 blocks! I think he's the most important Nugget for us as far as defense and inside presence are concerned. But what I love about our team is everyone has his role and is doing his best to contribute the right way. But I don't really think the Spurs will go away easily though I predicted a 14 pt win on my other basketball site. We can't afford to lose this one, as Memphis will be likely to win in Milwaukee while Minny is inching closer than ever with just 2 games behind. EDIT: We got the game locked ... the lead is 20 and there's only 1:35 minutes left to play. Memphis won too in Milwaukee so our records are identical but we hold the edge because ew own the season series 2-0. As for Minny, the game lead stretches to 3.0 (they lost tonight at Phoenix).
