Back to back: Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets
Having watched the Nuggets in their past two games, I think I know a little bit about them since their acquisition of Chauncey Billups. Make no mistake, they’re a much better team since that trade, even though they’ve lost three straight games.
Denver is loaded on offense, but lately has not been maximizing its opportunities. This team seems sometimes caught up in a quandry about who is going to shoot the ball and how often — which sometimes has something to do with Carmelo Anthony. The Nuggets don’t run a lot of stuff at you — they’ll pick and roll once in a while, but mostly they just spread the floor and go one-on-one a lot. A LOT. Billups is trying to make sure the ball gets spread around to everyone and that the hot hand gets it when appropriate. He’s the reason that team is now a serious contender for the division title.
Teams like the Nuggets are streaky, without some sort of system to bail them out of shooting slumps and defensive pressure. They struggle when teams keep them outside and double the hot shooter. Their ball movement is not always the best.
Denver, last time I checked, had the most fast-break points in the league, but is vulnerable to teams that run right back at them. Not sure how much of that the Blazers will do. There will be a pretty good battle on the boards in this game — I would expect Nene to try to get pretty physical with Greg Oden.
On defense, George Karl has a little more of an imprint on this team. The Nuggets will double-team and trap, a long-time Karl strategy, particularly if they can fence you in near the sidelines or mid-court stripe. And if they get the ball, they’ll convert and often turn a couple of fast-break baskets into a double-digit scoring run by keeping the tempo up.
The challenge for Portland will be to get the ball inside, rebound well, avoid turnovers and get back on defense. Problems with transition defense could be fatal against Denver.
I have always kind of liked back-to-backs against good teams. It’s almost like a playoff situation where teams can adjust in the second game. It should be fun. And Portland has a big edge in one area — the Blazers have had three days off while Denver will playing four games in five nights by the time this mini-series ends.
And by the way, if anyone’s got a pool on the Nielsen ratings of Monday night’s game, I’m taking the highest number on the board. Most of Portland will probably still be cooped up at home because of the weather, the team’s coming off a great win in the Brandon Roy 52-point game and first place is up for grabs in the division.
All of Portland — perhaps all of Oregon — will be watching this baby tonight.
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | December 21, 2008
Denver Nuggets, Dwight Jaynes, George Karl, Portland Trail Blazers
Let’s hope the Blazers get to Denver, I heard on the news they tried to fly out of PDX and couldn’t so they got on a bus to Eugene to fly out to Denver…could be tricky getting both teams back here Monday night for Tuesdays game…maybe through Eugene again!
Dwight I think your right. Our transition defense will be key for a win. I saw the game against Cleveland and Lebron just dominated. I think Roy will be too much for their guards and I think this is a game that Fernandez can shine…
Yes I will be watching the game (I always do), but I am also snowed in so this will be the highlight of my cabin fever day
What team flight? I got snowed in really! I couldn’t make it.
My wife and three other female family members are going to the Nutcracker tonight, using Tri-Met
So I get the big TV tonight.