(Boulder-CO) Tonight's untelevised contest between the Nuggets of Denver and the Jazz of Utah was nothing short of fantastic; especially the, 120-119, overtime victory! This game scratched the Nuggets right where they itch and hopefully sent a message to the Jazz. That message: Don't get to comfortable at the top of the division."
As I said, the game wasn't televised and rather than bore you with an attempt to recreate the play-by-play. I'll just breakdown the boxscore and remind you of my prediction.
-J.R. Smith is showing signs of a breakthrough so far this preseason. He led the Nuggets in scoring tonight with 19 points (to be fair, Linas also scored 19 points), and is leading the Nuggets in ppg through three games with an average of 16.5 points.
-Four out of the five starters tonight scored in double figures. Carmelo finished with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Kenyon Martin also added 16 points, a team-high eight rebounds, and three steals. Linas Kleiza posted the aforementioned 19 points and Anthony Carter was good for ten points and three assists. Dahntay Jones rounded out the starters, but just missed double-digits with nine points while playing an otherwise well-rounded game consisting of six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
-Although Smush Parker didn't score any points he still gave the Nuggets a much needed shot in the arm with his passing in what was otherwise a poor offensive second quarter. Parker only played 14 minutes in total, but handed out four of his team-high five assists in the first twelve minutes of the period.
-Chris Andersen, Nene, and Allen Iverson did not play. Iverson missed action tonight to rest the sore left knee, Birdman was caged with a sore calf, and Nene reportedly is suffering from a banged elbow sustained in practice Tuesday.
-The Nuggets won the turnover battle and as I predicted won the game. Denver forced 26 Jazz turnovers resulting in 33 Nugget points while only returning the favor with 19 miscues of their own of which Utah could only capitalize 25 points from.
-The game was decided in the final ten seconds of overtime after Dahntay Jones stole the ball from C.J. Miles. J.R. Smith missed two free-throws the possession before Jones came up with the steal that gave Linas Kleiza the opportunity to put the Nuggets up by four points with two free-throws after being fouled by Kevin Lyde. LK made both and the Nuggets ended up needed them after Kosta Koufos hit a 30-foot three-point heave with only one second remaining.
With the win, Denver stays a perfect 3-0 in preseason play with their remaining four preseason games on the road. Next up is rematch with the Phoenix Suns in a homecoming for Carmelo Anthony. Friday night's game will be played in Syracuse, New York at the Carrier Dome.
Go Nuggets!
As I said, the game wasn't televised and rather than bore you with an attempt to recreate the play-by-play. I'll just breakdown the boxscore and remind you of my prediction.
-J.R. Smith is showing signs of a breakthrough so far this preseason. He led the Nuggets in scoring tonight with 19 points (to be fair, Linas also scored 19 points), and is leading the Nuggets in ppg through three games with an average of 16.5 points.
-Four out of the five starters tonight scored in double figures. Carmelo finished with 16 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Kenyon Martin also added 16 points, a team-high eight rebounds, and three steals. Linas Kleiza posted the aforementioned 19 points and Anthony Carter was good for ten points and three assists. Dahntay Jones rounded out the starters, but just missed double-digits with nine points while playing an otherwise well-rounded game consisting of six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
-Although Smush Parker didn't score any points he still gave the Nuggets a much needed shot in the arm with his passing in what was otherwise a poor offensive second quarter. Parker only played 14 minutes in total, but handed out four of his team-high five assists in the first twelve minutes of the period.
-Chris Andersen, Nene, and Allen Iverson did not play. Iverson missed action tonight to rest the sore left knee, Birdman was caged with a sore calf, and Nene reportedly is suffering from a banged elbow sustained in practice Tuesday.
-The Nuggets won the turnover battle and as I predicted won the game. Denver forced 26 Jazz turnovers resulting in 33 Nugget points while only returning the favor with 19 miscues of their own of which Utah could only capitalize 25 points from.
-The game was decided in the final ten seconds of overtime after Dahntay Jones stole the ball from C.J. Miles. J.R. Smith missed two free-throws the possession before Jones came up with the steal that gave Linas Kleiza the opportunity to put the Nuggets up by four points with two free-throws after being fouled by Kevin Lyde. LK made both and the Nuggets ended up needed them after Kosta Koufos hit a 30-foot three-point heave with only one second remaining.
With the win, Denver stays a perfect 3-0 in preseason play with their remaining four preseason games on the road. Next up is rematch with the Phoenix Suns in a homecoming for Carmelo Anthony. Friday night's game will be played in Syracuse, New York at the Carrier Dome.
Go Nuggets!
3 comments:
Great info as usual "Doctor"!
Vicki and I were of course there and the smallish crowd that remained close to regulation end became very loud as OT began. The close game with only seconds remaining in OT made everyone begin to wonder if OT2 was going to be necessary. Thankfully no. I'm guessing that GK has some free-throw practice going on soon.
Update: At half-time AI stopped and wanted Vicki to explain why other Nuggets were getting candy delivered and he got none. After a big smile and a hug for Vicki, AI
walked to the bench... candy in hand. For the record he likes the old fashion Jolly Rancher. We aren't too sure what Steve Hess has to say about Vicki feeding the players candy! (Sorry Steve!)
The big question tonight from many was a bit unusual: What player jersey will Vicki be wearing come regular season game one. For so many years it was of course Marcus #23. While we already know, it's interesting to keep it to ourselves. Marcus will be "retired". The new Jersey will be.... ???.
We will report it on none other than The Nugg Doctor! An exclusive! God I'm glad the season has started!!!
The game was as good as advertised! I also went, and was impressed with the D. Hopefully they can keep it up and there is still room for improvement.
There were a lot of new faces, and I couldn't help but be impressed with Cleaves, who played the last 5 min of regulation and overtime. I didn't get a great feel for his talent, but he really took charge of the players on the floor and led them the way Anthony should be leading.
(Free throws were actually pretty good until they mattered in the 4th quarter, btw.)
Crowd was small, but it was preseason game, school night, in a bad economy,when everyone is really just thinking Broncos. Sorry Nuggets we love ya, but not with all our hearts till Jan, hopefully Feb this year.
Overall, I was impressed and it's just always good to beat the stupid Jazz, and on a side note Kirilenko is still as ugly as ever.
Thanks Nuggs for finally beating the Jazz at a game I'm at.
Thanks for the shout, Kayce.
Get at me.
Thanks for reading,
The Nugg Doctor
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