Denver Nuggets - The Next Level [Game 3 + 4]

[Azzdogs]

Great season for the Nuggets and great review. Can't wait for the playoffs. Just wondering how do you get the youtube videos like that.

[Kenny]

Nice work with the end of season reports, loved the collection of videos. Good luck in the Playoffs!

Thanks Andrew. The Trail Blazers won't be easy.

Great season for the Nuggets and great review. Can't wait for the playoffs. Just wondering how do you get the youtube videos like that.

On the page like that? There's a button at the top that says video. And the code goes like this:

<video>youtube link</video>

but you use [ ] instead of < >

[Azzdogs]

Thanks man

[thaKEAF]

[Kenny]

Playoff preview

Playoff tree



Denver Vs Portland preview

These two teams have a little in common, not just because they're both in the Northwest Division. Both teams had an image problem during the norties. At one stage this series would of been hyped as the Thuggets Vs the Jail Blazers. However both teams have managed to reinvent themselves with great play and leadership. Portland and Denver both have MVP caliber stars in Brandon Roy and Carmelo Anthony. And now, Portland and Denver both have something to prove, hoping to make it deep in the playoffs despite previous failures to do so. It will be an intriguing series.

Key player

Denver

Carmelo Anthony: It's a no brainer, when he plays well, the Nuggets are a contender. He has brought the playoffs to Denver every year since his rookie year. If he gets hot, the Trail Blazers will have to be at the top of their game.

Portland

Brandon Roy: There is little doubt that Brandon is Portland's franchise player and he has come up huge in clutch situations in the past. Somewhat unproven in the playoffs, he needs to star for Portland if they have any chance of getting through.

X-Factors

Denver's bench

Denver's bench is very potent. Matt Bonner leads the charge, having received a 6th man award. If he gets his perimeter game going, he creates many headaches for the opposition and could very well take Aldridge or Oden away from the basket. As well as Bonner, Chalmers has emerged as a pivotal piece of the Denver Championship puzzle. In the later part of the season, he has played some huge games coming off the bench. The defense of Ben Wallace and Arron Afflalo's hussle plays could also play a part in this series.

Portland's big men

One thing Portland could possibly have in their advantage is the size of their front court. With two 7 footers in Oden and Aldridge, they could pose problems for Denver on the boards. When Greg Oden is at the peak of his form, there aren't too many better rebounders in the league. If he can go aggressively at the boards this series, he could nullify the effect that Chris Andersen has for Denver on defense and created second opportunities for the Trail Blazers. It's also worth a mention that LaMarcus Aldridge is an All-Defensive First team choice this year. If he can work with Oden to stop Denver's penetration to the paint, Denver could be in big trouble.

The lineups
----------------

PORTLAND

The starters



| C: Greg Oden | PF: LaMarcus Aldridge | SF: Travis Outlaw | SG: Brandon Roy | PG: Rudy Fernandez |

The bench



| Andre Miller | Jerryd Bayless | Austin Daye | Jason Williams | Jamaal Tinsley | Nicolas Batum | Donald Cunningham |

Injury Reserve



| Paul Leroy | Martell Webster |

DENVER

The starters



| C: Chris Andersen | PF: Michael Beasley | SF: Carmelo Anthony | SG: Earl Smith III | PG: Chauncey Billups |

The bench



| Matt Bonner | Mario Chalmers | Ben Wallace | Arron Afflalo | Ty Maximilian | Ty Lawson | Robert Swift |

Injury Reserve



| Louis Williams |

------------

The results for the first 4 games of the series will be up very soon.

[Dee.]

Portlands starting PG is Rudy.
KILL THEM !

[Azzdogs]

Go Nuggets lets sweep the Trailblazers

[kibaxx7]

Hope you have a really difficult series

Noticed a typo: it's "Dante", not "Donald" Cunningham

[[Hyperize]]

Good luck trying to contain Brandon Roy. I don't think Portland will give you too much trouble overall though.

[anthony22]

yeaah,i think you shouldn't have problems with a team which starting pg is Rudy Fernandez....

[Kenny]

:bowdown:

Nice to have you back

Portlands starting PG is Rudy.
KILL THEM !

yeaah,i think you shouldn't have problems with a team which starting pg is Rudy Fernandez....

Rudy is a gun though... an excellent perimeter shooter. I tend to have trouble with those type of players.

Go Nuggets lets sweep the Trailblazers

That's the spirit

Hope you have a really difficult series

Noticed a typo: it's "Dante", not "Donald" Cunningham

Haha why thank you . And I doubled checked this, it actually is Donald. It's a rookie generated by NBA Live 10. He's a white guy with a black afro. Kind of a weird coincidence that Portland drafted a guy named D Cunningham again this season in the second round. I'm thinking maybe they didn't give Dante a contract the time the game came out. Much like Detroit didn't give Austin Daye one... which is why he's playing for the Trail Blazers.

Good luck trying to contain Brandon Roy. I don't think Portland will give you too much trouble overall though.

Their starters are good enough to do the job, but their bench is a bit suspect. They have absolutely no backup big man after Przybilla went. They have a computer generated rookie named Paul Leroy, but he's got a broken bone in his foot.

Brandon Roy is always a menace

[kibaxx7]

it actually is Donald. It's a rookie generated by NBA Live 10. He's a white guy with a black afro. Kind of a weird coincidence that Portland drafted a guy named D Cunningham again this season in the second round.

Lol, that's NBA Live IA

[Kenny]

it actually is Donald. It's a rookie generated by NBA Live 10. He's a white guy with a black afro. Kind of a weird coincidence that Portland drafted a guy named D Cunningham again this season in the second round.

Lol, that's NBA Live IA

Yep, the generated rookies love their afros, zaney hair colours and bad free throw shooting

[Kenny]

Game 1: Melo explosive as Denver take first game



Another 50+ point effort from Nuggets star Carmelo Anthony has seen Denver take the first game over the Portland Trail Blazers 96-85. Portland weren't completely out of the game, with impressive performances by Travis Outlaw (23 points) and Rudy Fernandez (21). They even managed to draw the game level in the 3rd quarter.

Despite Portland having an all-round team performance where 4 players scored in double digits, Melo proved to be the deciding factor. Any thought of a Portland win was quickly erased by Anthony as he scored 55 points. He was supported by his front court on the defensive end, with Andersen (14 rebounds) and Beasley (12 rebounds) both picking up the boards. Chauncey also helped Denver's cause by dishing out 13 assists. But the night belonged to Anthony as he once again got the MVP chants from the crowd. For those who were still unconvinced that he had the hot hands, he went from 52 to 55 points with this buzzer beating full court shot:

phpBB [video]

If Anthony keeps this up, Portland are going to have a painful series ahead of them.

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POR@DEN

DEN: 96 (Anthony 55, Smith 16, Beasley 7)
POR: 85 (Outlaw 23, Fernandez 21, Roy 16)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Carmelo Anthony 55 points

Rebounds

DEN: Andersen 14
POR: Aldridge 18

Assists

DEN: Billups 13
POR: Fernandez 6

Double-doubles

DEN: None
POR: Greg Oden (14 points, 11 rebounds)

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Game 2: Nuggets survive Portland surge



Despite a 4th quarter comeback from Portland, Denver have survived to beat the Trail Blazers 95-86. It was another huge night from Carmelo Anthony with 45 points, however Portland were able to stay within striking distance thanks once again to Rudy Fernandez and Travis Outlaw.

In the 4th they got within 2 points of the Nuggets, with Fernandez and Outlaw finishing the game with 30 and 19 respectively. However they came up short within the dying moments of the game, missing clutch shots and fouling Melo and Smith, who are two of Denver's better foul shooters.

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POR@DEN

DEN: 95 (Anthony 45, Smith 25, Andersen/Beasley/Bonner 6)
POR: 86 (Fernandez 30, Outlaw 19, Roy 16, Aldridge 12)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Carmelo Anthony 45 points

Rebounds

DEN: Andersen 14
POR: Oden 10

Assists

DEN: Billups 8
POR: Roy 7

Double-doubles

DEN: None
POR: None

---------------------------------------

Game 3: Denver on the verge of sweep



Portland knew that if they went down 3-0, it'd be extremely hard for them to come back, so they came out and play with intent. They started on a 15-1 run. With Melo finally having an off shooting day with 3-13 from the field in the first half and Fernandez having another outstanding game, Portland thought they had their bases covered. However, where Melo was lacking, Mario Chalmers came in and kept Denver in the game. Him along with the Birdman provided the much needed inspiration to get Denver out of the rut they were in.

In the second half, Melo managed to come to life, finally hitting his shots and putting Denver ahead for the first time in the 4th quarter. He ended up with 23 points. Rudy Fernandez might have won the Sprite Performer of the Game with his 29 points, but it was Chalmers (23) and Andersen (10 points, 16 rebounds) that proved pivotal in the game. They displayed that this Denver side is no one man show. If Melo is struggling, there are other players around him that can pick up the slack. Earl Smith also ended up in double figures with 11 points.

For Portland, along with Rudy's 29 points, Brandon Roy got 21 and Travis Outlaw scored 16. LaMarcus Aldridge hit the boards, getting 16 for the game.

---------------------------------------

DEN@POR

DEN: 87 (Anthony 23, Chalmers 23, Andersen 14)
POR: 82 (Fernandez 29, Roy 21, Outlaw 16)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Rudy Fernandez 29 points 3 rebounds 5 assists

Rebounds

DEN: Andersen 16
POR: Aldridge 16

Assists

DEN: Billups 5
POR: Roy 6

Double-doubles

DEN: Andersen (14 points, 16 rebounds)
POR: None

---------------------------------------

Game 4: Denver completes sweep



Denver have completed a series white-wash against the Portland Trail Blazers by beating them in the fourth game 71-60. Denver dominated early on, as Melo regained the touch that was missing early last game. He finished up with 30 points, while Mario Chalmers (11) and Chris Andersen (10) also registered double figure scores. At times Portland showed signs of fight, coming within 2 points of the 4th. Rudy Fernandez scored 15 points for his team, while Aldridge and Roy both registered 14 each. While Portland were competitive at times during this series, you couldn't help but sense that this series belonged to Melo and the Nuggets from game one. Denver will meet the winner of the Houston and Oklahoma City series. It'd is currently tied at two games a piece.

Check out this layup from Melo:

phpBB [video]

---------------------------------------

DEN@POR

DEN: 71 (Anthony 30, Chalmers 11, Andersen 10)
POR: 60 (Fernandez 15, Aldridge 14, Roy 14)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Carmelo Anthony 30 points

Rebounds

DEN: Andersen 13
POR: Oden 14

Assists

DEN: Andersen, Beasley, Billups 4
POR: Fernandez 6

Double-doubles

DEN: Andersen (10 points, 13 rebounds)
POR: None

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Click the image below for a slideshow of the series between Denver and Portland:


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Playoff shock: Spurs sweep Lakers

The 8th seed Spurs have completed the shock of the playoffs, downing the West's top seed Lakers in 4 games. They will face either the Clippers or the Kings in the second round. If everything pans out, we could be seeing a rematch in the Western Conference Finals between Denver and San Antonio.

---------------------------------------

Sorry if it seemed like that series was over in a flash. As I've said before, I tend to play these games in bulk, so I can almost do a playoff series in a sitting depending on how long the series goes for and what's on tv

An updated playoff tree, playoff results around the league and upcoming series preview to come.

[Andrew]

it actually is Donald. It's a rookie generated by NBA Live 10. He's a white guy with a black afro. Kind of a weird coincidence that Portland drafted a guy named D Cunningham again this season in the second round.

Lol, that's NBA Live IA

Yep, the generated rookies love their afros, zaney hair colours and bad free throw shooting

NBA Live 2001 was the Crowning Moment of Awesome/Funny (to borrow a phrase from TV Tropes) for me, a generated rookie named Bill Cosby.

[Dee.]

Melo was a beast.

Spurs sweep Lakers.

[Andrew]

Congrats on the sweep, I enjoyed the coverage and the highlight videos. Melo's 23 in Game 3 must've felt like a bit of a letdown after his effort through the first two games, glad to see him "recover" with 30 in the series clinching Game 4.

[Azzdogs]

Go Nuggets. Great first round and that full court shot by Melo was awesome.

[kibaxx7]

Nuggets sweep Blazers

Spurs sweep Lakers

[Kenny]

it actually is Donald. It's a rookie generated by NBA Live 10. He's a white guy with a black afro. Kind of a weird coincidence that Portland drafted a guy named D Cunningham again this season in the second round.

Lol, that's NBA Live IA

Yep, the generated rookies love their afros, zaney hair colours and bad free throw shooting

NBA Live 2001 was the Crowning Moment of Awesome/Funny (to borrow a phrase from TV Tropes) for me, a generated rookie named Bill Cosby.

That would have been so awesome. If he was still around during my pick, I'd have to take him.

Melo was a beast.

Spurs sweep Lakers.

That he was. And yeah, I much prefer the Spurs over the Lakers, but the thought of possibly facing them if I get past the Thunder is a daunting prospect.

Congrats on the sweep, I enjoyed the coverage and the highlight videos. Melo's 23 in Game 3 must've felt like a bit of a letdown after his effort through the first two games, glad to see him "recover" with 30 in the series clinching Game 4.

It did feel like a let down at first, but he came to life in the second half. I suppose I can't expect him to put up 40+ every night.

Go Nuggets. Great first round and that full court shot by Melo was awesome.

I couldn't believe it when that shot went in, I thought "damn, Melo really is hitting everything today"

Nuggets sweep Blazers

Spurs sweep Lakers

I spotted a typo, it should be "Nuggets sweep Blazers "



But yeah, the Blazers lacked a bit of depth I think.

[Kenny]

Playoff preview

Playoff tree



Results

WEST
-----
[8] San Antonio 4 - 0 LA Lakers [1]
[4] Sacramento 4 - 2 LA Clippers [5]
[6] Oklahoma City 4 - 3 Houston [3]
[2] Denver 4 - 0 Portland [7]

EAST
----

[1] Cleveland 4 - 1 Milwaukee [8]
[5] New Jersey 4 - 2 Boston [4]
[3] Orlando 4 - 0 Philadelphia [6]
[2] Washington 4 - 2 Atlanta [7]


Denver Vs Oklahoma City preview

Back when Oklahoma City were in Seattle, Denver caused the greatest boilover in NBA history by beating them as an 8th seed team. Now the Nuggets are 2nd and favourite for the conference title and Oklahoma City are 6th, boasting an exciting young lineup with a deep bench. Can Oklahoma City turn the tables and cause a boilover? Or will the Nuggets continue on with the fine form they showed against Portland?

Key Matchups

Anthony Vs Durant: This will be the most intriguing battle of the series. Two of the best small forwards in the league and both of them have a fantastic future ahead of them. But while one will go through to the conference finals, the other will have to learn from the experience the hard way. In any case, Kevin Durant will probably feel lucky just to be in the playoffs.

The Bench Players

While Oklahoma City boast possibly the deepest bench in the league, Denver probably have the most productive one. I reiterate that they have a deep bench because a player the caliber of James Harden is sitting in the injury reserve... and he's not injured! Stephen Jackson and Jeff Green are pretty formidable backups, while Krstic and Collison have value as well.

As for Denver, they have scorers in Matt Bonner and Mario Chalmers, as well as Ben Wallace, who was one of the premier defenders in the 2000s. Players like Afflalo, Maximilian and Swift are also looking to prove themselves.

The lineups
----------------

OKLAHOMA CITY

The starters



C: Joel Przybilla | PF: Rudy Gay | SF: Kevin Durant | SG: Stanley Alston | PG: Russell Westbrook |

The bench



| Stephen Jackson | Jeff Green | BJ Mullens | Bobby Brown | Nenad Krstic | Nick Collison | Serge Ibaka |

Injury Reserve



| James Harden | DJ White | Kyle Weaver

DENVER

The starters



C: Chris Andersen | PF: Michael Beasley | SF: Carmelo Anthony | SG: Earl Smith III | PG: Chauncey Billups

The bench



| Matt Bonner | Mario Chalmers | Ben Wallace | Arron Afflalo | Ty Maximilian | Ty Lawson | Robert Swift

Injury Reserve



| Louis Williams |

-------------------------------------------

First 4 games of the series to come soon.

[Andrew]

I'm expecting another sweep. 4-1 at the worst.

[kibaxx7]

I'm expecting another sweep. 4-1 at the worst.

Me too, but I must admit OKC's bench looks nice, Green, Jackson...

[[Hyperize]]

Shouldn't Stephen Jackson be starting over Stanley Alston, and Kevin Durant playing power forward instead of Rudy Gay? Damn, EA really knows how to screw up a rotation.

[Fresh8]

Hope you take out the Thunder. Good luck!