<u><font color="LightBlue">Denver Nuggets</font> @ <font color="Red">Portland Trailblazers</font></u> When: Friday, January 2nd Where: Rose Garden Time: 7:00 Local Time TV: FSNW, NBALP Records <u>Denver:</u> 19-13 <u>Portland:</u> 15-15 Last 10 <u>Denver:</u> 5-5 <u>Portland:</u> 5-5 Previous Games <u>Denver</u> <ul> [*]December 31, Lost 120-104 @ L.A. Clippers [*]December 30, Lost 81-74 vs. Toronto [*]December 28, Won 103-79 vs. Golden State [/list] Streak: Lost 2 <u>Portland</u> <ul> [*]December 31, Lost 78-71 @ Detroit [*]December 29, Won, 91-87 @ New Jersey [*]December 28, Lost 86-74 @ Cleveland [/list] Streak: Lost 1 2003-2004 Season Matchups First meeting Head Coaches vs. Jeff Bzdelik vs. Maurice Cheeks Probable Starters vs. Andre Miller vs. Damon Stoudamire vs. Voshon Leonard vs. Jeff Mcinnis vs. Carmelo Anthony vs. Rasheed Wallace vs. Nene vs. Zach Randolph vs. Marcus Camby vs. Dale Davis Injuries <u>Denver</u> G Jon Barry (back) F Mark Pope (knee) <u>Blazers</u> G Derek Anderson C Ruben Boumtje Boumtje Sixth Man <u>Earl Boykins</u> <font size="1"><font color="Gray">Earl Boykins: Denver Nuggets</font></font> This guard is having a career high year averaging over 10 points per game. No-one can really be sure what he will produce on the night, watch for him to be lurking around at the end of quarters, ready to pounce. Stat Comparisons ESPN Keys to the game <u>Denver</u> <ul> [*]Force Portland into the outside shot [*]Rebound [*]Minimise turnovers [*]Get the ball to Carmelo [/list] <u>Portland</u> <ul> [*]Get to the charity stripe [*]Force turnovers [*]Slow the pace [/list] Jump's Prediction Denver are coming off two bad losses. I expect them to look very hungry tonight running down every loss ball desperate to show that their previous form was not just fluke. Voshon Leonard and Andre Miller had good games againt the Clippers on Wednesday night. Watch out for either of them to pull something special out of the bag. Denver's frontcourt will have to step up tonight in an attempt to slow down the inside force of Zach Randolph and Rasheed Wallace. I expect a close game that could go either way. The score I predict will be within a 6 point margin.
I predict the Nuggets will win by around 8. Portland has an advantage in the post, but I believe they'll fail to fully utilize it as Wallace and Randolph both battle down low. Carmelo will have 20 something, and Camby will be a defensive factor, with at least a double double in points and rebounds.
Nuggets take this one by 8 They are far too scrappy and and actually play basketball for 48 minutes, unlike the POTland Jail Blazers.
Nuggets by 12....Carmelo will have 26 followed by Lenard who will have 15...Earl will have 12 points, 11 assists
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting King James:</div><div class="quote_post">Nuggets take this one by 8 They are far too scrappy and and actually play basketball for 48 minutes, unlike the POTland Jail Blazers.</div> Normally I would agree but Blazers are great at home but terrible on the road.Nuggets have lost 2 straight...I see a 9 point victory for the Blazers.
It should be a Blazer win but it will be very competitive. Since Portland is playing at home, that should give them just the edge they need.
Yeah I agree. I would go with Denver if they were at home, but seeing as its in Portland, Im not sure.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Trailing at the start of the fourth quarter, Denver came out strong and took the lead for good on an Andre Miller layup with 6:01 remaining in a 106-96 win in Portland on Friday. Voshon Lenard tallied a team-high 27 points, Miller finished with 15 and Marcus Camby and Nen? had 12 each.</div> Recap Box Score <font size="1"><font color="Gray">Andre Miller was 4-for-6 from the field on Friday night.</font></font>
