Nuggets Play Complimentary and Win

(FortCollins-CO) The Denver Nuggets concluded this seven game eastern road trip with a cruise control win over the Hornets, 109-94. This win made the road trip the most successful seven game excursion in franchise history and the Nugg Doctor predicted the 5-2 finish. What is much more important than the franchise record or my foresight is that the next 14 games include eight at Pepsi Center and they are all against Western Conference foes. Starting off quick out of the gates with the World Champion San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

In only the second return visit back to the city of New Orleans it was a sell out crowd and pleasing to see that the people of New Orleans still support their local team through so much adversity. This was my first real chance to sit and watch Rookie of the Year shoe-in Chris Paul and he didn’t disappoint. Paul finished the game with ten assists, eleven points, and only turned the ball over twice. Unfortunately for him and the Hornets’ efforts was that it was all in vain against a superior Nuggets team.

Carmelo Anthony continues to leave the opposition scratching their heads when he gets the ball. The young superstar is reigning jumpers from everywhere conceivable on the court, passing effectively, and working within an offense efficiently while being the focal point. ‘Melo finished the night with 28 points, seven assists, and three rebounds with enough help from teammates playing complimentary roles to dominate from start to finish. Kenyon Martin played well scoring 17 points in 21 minutes and grabbing three boards. Kenyon’s complimentary other half was Reggie Evans. Evans snatched and squeezed 16 rebounds, including five on the offensive glass, and scored five.

For the guards, Andre Miller scored 17 points and dished out seven assists while only turning it over three times. Andre was also defensively conscience with three steals. Andre’s complimentary partner in crime was Greg Buckner. Buckner chipped in with 19 points and continues to fill the void around the three-point arch by finishing 5-12 from downtown. There was even a nice little surprise by the name of Howard Eisley filling in for the injured Earl Boykins. Eisley gave the Nuggets 17 solid minutes at point while Miller got a blow, scored himself five points, handed out three assists, and didn’t turn it over once. Perfect stats for a guy who didn’t even know if he would get any playing time on his second ten-day contract.

The next five games look like this: San Antonio, Seattle, Phoenix, Utah, and Minnesota. I’m going to predict that the Nuggets win, that’s right win, against the Spurs on Wednesday night. I think that with a well deserved rest, and the home crowd, that the Nuggets will put up a statement that they are for real come playoff time at the cost of the Spurs. The only game in the aforementioned five that I will also predict that the Nuggets will lose is Phoenix on the road. Utah is going to be a battle and Minnesota is always testy, but both teams will succumb to the Nuggets at Pepsi Center.

Hats off to the Denver Nuggets for going on the road and setting the tone for the rest of the remaining regular season. A new franchise road trip record was nice too, but records are easily forgotten. This break in the action is just what the Nuggets needed right now. It gives Camby time to get that knee back in shape, Kenyon a chance to rest that tendonitis in his knee, and Najera an extended rehab window. The Nuggets better have the big guns loaded and ready when San Antonio comes to town next week. Rally around these guys Denver; their potential is unlimited!