Game: Nov 7: Nuggets at Celtics

tremaine · Nov 7, 2007

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November 7, 2007 @ 7:30 EST, 5:30 pm MST
TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA
ALT 2 TV, KKFN Radio
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Denver Nuggets
(2-2)


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Boston Celtics
(2-0)


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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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PG Allen Iverson SG Linas Kleiza

SF Carmelo Anthony PF Kenyon Martin C Marcus Camby


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PG Rajon Rojo SG Ray Allen

SF Paul Pierce PF Kevin Garnett C Kendrick Perkins


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<h4>Season Stats</h4>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>104.8PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>44.7%</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>32.0%</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>48.3 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>22.5 APG</td>
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<td class="strong">Scoring</td>
<td>100.5PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Field Goal %</td>
<td>46.2%</td>
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<td class="strong">3-Point %</td>
<td>40.4%</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>44.0 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>20.5 APG</td>
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<h4>Season Team Leaders</h4>
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<td class="strong">Points</td>
<td>Anthony 27.3 PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>Camby 17.5 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Iverson 8.8 APG</td>
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<td class="strong">Points</td>
<td>Ray Allen 25.0 PPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Rebounds</td>
<td>Kevin Garnett 16.5 RPG</td>
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<td class="strong">Assists</td>
<td>Kevin Garnett 5.5 APG</td>
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<h4>Key Matchup: SG - JR Smith (& Kenyon Martin) v Ray Allen</h4>

v
The sports media world shows J.R. Smith as the clear starter at the 2-spot, so I’ll overrule the Nugget’s coaches and show him in the slot rather than Yakhouba Diawara or Linas Kleiza or Von Wafer or Bobby Jones. 13-year man Allen is off to a blazing start. He has made 9/16 threes and 16/26 shots already for 50 points in two games. J.R. Smith has played 23 minutes so far and is 2/6, with all 6 shots being threes. If Smith could be the first to make Allen miss a few, perhaps by getting 2 or 3 steals, it would go a long way toward giving the Nuggets the possibility of a big upset. Don’t hold your breath. The other key matchup is at SF, Carmelo Anthony vs Paul Pierce No longer the Boston superstar without a prayer, Pierce is cruising for a Championship now that Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have boarded the Celtic's ship. Anthony had big expectations for this season coming in, but has come up short relative to his normal for two straight games and that, combined with the Nugget’s lack of a system, are the biggest reasons the Nuggets have lost 2 straight. Melo is going to have to make up for some of the drubbing the Nuggets are going to take at PF by Kevin Garnett. As he gets used to the luxury of having Garnett up front, Pierce has had a relatively slow start shooting wise. But that problem is no longer the big problem it used to be for the Celtics, with Garnett cleaning up at the hoop. If Melo is double teamed, the challenge will become the ability of Melo to find the open man and the ability of that open man to score. 
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<h4>Keys to the Game</h4>
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<ul>[*]Run some set plays. - The Nuggets are not a running team until J.R. Smith is back in gear, and until Von Wafer or Bobby Jones are playing at the same time as Smith and Melo. Smith-Wafer-Melo would constitute a running team. Iverson @46 minutes-Kleiza-Melo does not constitute a running team. 
[*]Stop relying on Iverson and Camby to rescue the Nuggets from every single problem on offense and defense respectively. - Iverson is one of the best guards in history but he can’t solve by himself every single problem you have on your basketball team. Get realistic and rest Iverson for at least 6 minutes a game until one of the point guards comes back and at least 10 minutes a game after that. Melo or Wafer or can play the point a little if Wilks is still out. 
[*]Tell Camby, Nene, and Martin to avoid shooting contested jumpers for this game.- Camby, Nene, and Kenyon Martin should be penetrating and shooting layups in this game, because getting Garnett in foul trouble may be the only chance the Nuggets have to score an upset here. And second chance cleanup layups and dunks are also going to be critical for the Nuggets to have a chance [/list]
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<ul>[*]Have a balanced attack. - The Nuggets can be burned from inside or from the perimeter these days, so mix it up to do the most damage. Boston doesn’t need me to tell them to have a varied attack; they already are using one of the best outside-inside mixed offenses in the NBA. 
[*]Double Team Melo or A.I.- Start with double teaming Melo and continue with that unless A.I. is having a huge game and Melo is not, in which case start double teaming A.I.. Also, go for steals against both of them.
[*]One of the most obvious keys you will ever see: Have Garnett pound inside for scores and layups. Neither Nene nor Kenyon Martin are at 100%, whereas Garnett is, so it is likely to get ugly for the Nuggets in the defensive paint again. A possession where Garnett settles for a short jumper is mostly a wasted possession. Knock the Nuggets out early and enjoy garbage time in the 4th quarter. [/list]
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<h4 align="center">Projected Starters</h4>
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<td>Home Team X Factor </td>
<td>Road Team X Factor </td>
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<h4>Prediction</h4>
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The Celtics should win this game easily. The only way the Nuggets can compete is if they get a huge night from a couple of key players. For example, if J.R. Smith and Carmelo Anthony were to combine for 8/15 on threes, and Kleiza and Najera were to add a few, that might be enough to give the Nuggets a chance. Or if Kenyon Martin, Nene, and Camby were able to slow down Garnett and Ray Allen was off in his shooting. It would be a big upset if the Nuggets were to win. The Celtics have what I call a double home court advantage. They are at home and they are rested, whereas the Nuggets are playing on back to back nights. To top it off, the Celtics have no injuries at all to deal with right now on their roster. So even if the Nuggets were not reeling from three point guard injuries and two power forward rehabs in progress, the Celtics would be favored. When you combine the Nugget's personnel problems with their lack of effective strategies, it all points to an ugly game and the need to get out of town without any more injuries major or minor. The Nuggets have all the trouble they can handle right now, and probably more than they can handle. Oh well, if we get a lot of garbage time, we finally get to see Bobby Jones, Von Wafer, and Steve Hunter in a regular season game, and J.R. Smith will have a lot more time for rust removal. Don't tick me off more than usual GK: Get all starters except J.R. Smith out of the game for all garbage time. Most likely, obviously, the garbage time would be caused by the Celtics having an insurmountable lead.

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NUGGETS INJURY REPORT OUT: Anthony Carter suffered a 3rd metacarpal fracture on his right hand and underwent successful surgery on 10/10. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks. OUT: Chucky Atkins suffered a severe right groin strain at Phoenix on 10/25 and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks. QUESTIONABLE: Mike Wilks suffered a right hamstring strain vs. New Orleans on 11/4 and did not play at New York on 11/6. He is considered questionable for tonight’s game. CELTICS INJURY REPORT No Injuries reported

CelticKing · Nov 7, 2007

Good job with the game thread tremaine. 

It will be an exciting game to watch, with a lot of superstars. I really think whoever gets hot from the start will go on to win the game.

Putting Posey on Melo should help us contain him and make him struggle.

Good luck guys.

Make sure to visit our game thread.... http://sportstwo.com/Thread/View/NBA/BOSTON/1919340

Shapecity · Nov 7, 2007

Man just look at all the talent going at it in this game. Takes me back to the glory days when every team in the league had 3 standout players on their roster. This should be a high level played game and really could go either way. Playing in Boston is always tough to overcome and I imagine KG will have his team fired up to defend the homecourt.

Nuggets will need a big game from AI and efficient scoring from their lead guard. Melo and Paul Pierce matchup will be outstanding.

CelticKing · Nov 7, 2007

Imagine if we go 41-0 at home. haha

Chutney · Nov 7, 2007

Should be a hellofa game with all that talent. The lack of defense may ultimately hinder the Nuggets but I definitely wouldn't discount them out the game.

CelticKing · Nov 7, 2007

I was hoping they'd go to OT last night so they get tired. haha

44Thrilla · Nov 7, 2007

The Enver Nuggets just gave up 77 points to the Celtics in the first half. Ouch.

CelticKing · Nov 7, 2007

Ouch indeed.

The Celtics are for real.

pegs · Nov 7, 2007

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (44Thrilla)</div><div class='quotemain'>

The Enver Nuggets just gave up 77 points to the Celtics in the first half. Ouch.

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Enver is right.

Melo needs to step his game up.

o.iatlhawksfan · Nov 7, 2007

The Celts will have their hands full Friday! ; )

cpawfan · Nov 7, 2007

Just disgusting. An absolute disgrace tonight from the Nuggets

CelticKing · Nov 7, 2007

Not the worst game the Nuggets have played versus the Celts. In 77 they reported after the game, Celtics had 85 points in the first half. Thats 8 more points than tonight.

We're playing some good defense, lot of steals, teams are having to rush shots, and they're not thinking. Can't wait till we dismantle the Hawks and the Nets.

Answer_AI03 · Nov 7, 2007

goerge karl should be fired...i hate that guy

CelticBalla32 · Nov 7, 2007

You guys can check out my game recap by clicking this link.

What an unbelievable night.

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Game: Nov 7: Nuggets at Celtics

tremaine To Win, Be Like Fitz

CelticKing The Green Monster

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

CelticKing The Green Monster

Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

CelticKing The Green Monster

44Thrilla cuatro cuatro

CelticKing The Green Monster

pegs My future wife.

o.iatlhawksfan ROFLMFAO!!!!

cpawfan Monsters do exist

CelticKing The Green Monster

Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

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Game: Nov 7: Nuggets at Celtics

tremaine To Win, Be Like Fitz

CelticKing The Green Monster

Shapecity S2/JBB Teamster Staff Member Administrator

CelticKing The Green Monster

Chutney MON-STRAWRRR!!1!

CelticKing The Green Monster

44Thrilla cuatro cuatro

CelticKing The Green Monster

pegs My future wife.

o.iatlhawksfan ROFLMFAO!!!!

cpawfan Monsters do exist

CelticKing The Green Monster

Answer_AI03 JBB JustBBall Member

CelticBalla32 Basketball is back in Boston

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