Pacers V Nuggets (Preview) On tuesday at 7.00 Most likely starters Pacers PG-Kenny Anderson SG--Fred Jones SF-Ron Artest PF-Jermaine O'Neal C-Scott Pollard Nuggets PG-Andre Miller SG-Voshon Lenard SF-Carmelo Anthony PF-Nene C-Marcus Camby Pacers key to victory Make sure Carmelo Anthony doesn't get going early...keep him from attacking the rim and drawing fouls which he has been very successful at lately.As Melo goes as go the Nuggets...Ron Artest will have to do a very good job on him If Pacers are to win this one.Who will be without Reggie Miller because of injury Keeping Marcus Camby off the glass is something the Pacers need to do...Camby has averaged 12 rebounds per game through the first 3 games of the season..when he crashes the boards the Nuggets will always be in games...Staying heathly has always been his problem but so far so good for Camby and the Nuggets...So The Pacers big man will have to box out him well in this game.. Nuggets keys to victory Jermaine O'Neal is one of the best power fowards in the NBA..and the best in the eastern conference.The Nuggets will have to try to contend him inside...force him to hit the outside jumper and not get too close to the basket If he does he will have an easy time of it.The Nuggets big man have to stay out of foul trouble for them to win the game.Attacking O'Neal and getting him in foul trouble is what the Nuggets should try and do...Being on the road It will always be tough to win against a tough Pacers team....but they are beatable and the Nuggets are on a high after wins over Spurs and Kings this past week Al Harrington has been a real spark off the Pacers bench and has put up 17 and 6 to help his team to a 2-1 record.His great play the other night got the Pacers past the Hawks in overtime...Nuggets need to watch this guy on the arc and inside..He can cause some real damage when he is hot..He can rebound the ball really well too...He is that energy boost the Pacers need....So stopping him is the key to the game for me Prediction Without Reggie Miller the Pacers outside game could struggle..The Nuggets are coming off two wins against two of the best teams in the league...but the Pacers have home court advantage here and I don't see them losing both of their home games to start the season...The Nuggets will battle hard and prove they are a much improved team from a year ago..However I reckon.. Pacers will take this one by 6
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting NugzFan:</div><div class="quote_post">wheres reggie miller?</div> He was out Saturday and is listed questionable for tonight. He will most likely sit, due to a sore back.
Melo had his way with Artest in the Preseason but Artest made it clear that his "A" game has yet to be laid out on the kid. Anthony might have a harder go of it tonight. I'm going with the Pacers with this one.
That is why it is the preseason Ice Breaker, why play your toughest D in a preseason game anyway? What does he have to prove. Welcome to the NBA Melo.
Melo 1-9 from the field..not looking good But as always Earl Boykins comes in..gives them that spark Pacers 39 Nuggets 34 at halftime Earl Boykins has dominated the first half..16 points on 6/6 shooting Next highest scorer on the Nuggets so far is Rodney White with 5 Jermaine O'Neal leds Pacers with 13 points and 8 rebounds Melo did not play in the 2nd quarter
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> INDIANA 71, DENVER 60 The Denver Nuggets looked an awful lot like last season's squad, which means at times they looked awful. Suffering through quarters of 10 and seven points, the Nuggets recalled their 65-loss season in a 71-60 loss to the Indiana Pacers, who got 25 points and 20 rebounds from Jermaine O'Neal. The Nuggets averaged a league-low 84.2 points per game last season as they began a rebuilding project that resulted in the selection of Carmelo Anthony with the third overall pick in the draft. After three quarters, the 5-5 Boykins was 7-of-7 for 18 points. His teammates were 7-of-50 for 23 points. </div> http://www.nba.com/games/20031104/DENIND/recap.html UGLY game for the Nuggets..Melo 1-13 is a game he will want to forget He has that chance as next game @ Cavs tomorrow Nuggets are now 2-2
