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

[Murat]

Denver Nuggets.

[Kenny]

Clippers winning 53 games. That's unrealistic

But nice to see the Wizards with the 1st seed!

Particularly since they did it without Blake and Gordon. It's also kinda crazy that John Wall doesn't exist in this dynasty but oh well, the Wizards are still more competitive than I could have expected

Good to see you snag the top seed and homecourt advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs. Should you end up facing the Wizards in the Finals they'll obviously have homecourt advantage, but that'll at least give you a chance to win the championship on your home floor if you can finish the series in four or five.

I'm really glad it was as close as it ended up being. I think it's good for the dynasty to have close competition every now and then and hopefully it's a challenging playoff series. I wouldn't complain if I went 4-4-4-4 though

Borislav Perko has a brother in Memphis?

I noticed that as well.

Out of all the things that piss me off about this game, THIS gets me the most. Sure, if the name was Jason Williams or Joe Johnson, I could understand there being two players with the same name, but BORISLAV PERKO?! I feel that just insults my intelligence

Ollie Rose has been a godsend for LAC

That he has been and he's one pain in the ass to play against as well.

Hey, both the Lakers and LeFrog's team both didn't make the playoffs!

Who's dominating?

Denver Nuggets.

I don't really think anyone is dominating at the moment. The top three in the West were just one game apart and while the Wizards were 5 games ahead of the Cavs (almost flip the script of real life), even they aren't clear-cut favourites at the moment. It's shaping up to be the competitive playoffs in this dynasty.

[Kenny]

TNL Top 5
Plays of the Year

Being the end of the season, I thought I'd throw in my favourite plays of the year. Now, I've omitted the game winners/tiers because I'll probably do another post focusing on those. So here they are:

#5: A Block For the Skills Challenge

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In this video, Kevin Durant blocks the shot, the ball bounces off the top of the backboard and he grabs the rebound.

#4: Much in the Clutch

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This dunk by Brandon Jennings was in the game where he scored 31 in the 4th quarter. Two of his points came in this emphatic fashion.

#3: Announcing One's Arrival

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In his first game for Denver, Dennis Da Conceicao sent the Denver crowd spinning with this effort.

#2: Vintage Earl

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J.R. Smith is one of the greatest in-game dunkers in the league, but on this play he shows some finesse.

#1: Oh That's NASTY!

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Kevin Durant picks up the number one spot with this sick posteriser on Greg Oden.

[Kenny]

Playoffs Preview: Nuggets Vs Grizzlies


These two teams have history; when Denver and J.R. Smith couldn't agree on terms, he took his services to Memphis. That year, the two teams played in the Western Conference Finals where Denver would take the series in 6 games. The following year the Western Conference Finals was a rematch. It would take the Nuggets one extra game to win the series. While Denver won those two and would go on to a three-peat, Memphis were the team that denied them the fourth time, winning their first round matchup in the 2014 playoffs in just 5 games.

This is the first time the Grizzlies have played the Nuggets since the upset. Both teams have a former MVP (Stephen Curry and J.R. Smith) and both have a player named Borislav Perko. Despite the seedings, it's an evenly matched series across the board and will be a great test to see if either team has championship credentials.

The Teams

Denver Nuggets

The Starters

| Robin Lopez | Borislav Perko | Kevin Durant | J.R. Smith | Brandon Jennings

The Bench



| Taylor MacKenzie | Andrew Bogut | Patrick Mills | Ed Reed | George Power | Chris Andersen | Dennis Da Conceicao |

IR

| Jrue Holiday | Crispin Erwin | Basil Richter |

Memphis Grizzlies

The Starters

| Nicklas Good | Blake Griffin | Roderick Conners | Stephen Curry | Borislav Perko |

The Bench

| Andy Cooper | Johnny Williams | Dave Russell | Tommy Stevenson | Rod Schneider | Declan Holding | Raymond Ridley |

IR

| Rashad McCants | Nick King | Darrick Griffin |

DNA


Memphis Grizzlies | Denver Nuggets

This is an interesting little feature I thought I'd bring in for this season's playoffs. It gives you a better idea of the starting 5's tendencies. As you can see, both sides are spot up shooting teams. Sorry about the image quality.

Keys

Denver Nuggets

While they're still an excellent team, they're one without their previous two Finals MVPs. The Denver Nuggets are somewhat of an unknown entity as far as who is going to be their star in the post-season. While J.R. Smith and Kevin Durant would be leading candidates, look out for guys like Brandon Jennings and Borislav Perko. Jennings sat through most of last year's playoffs and is eager to prove himself on the big stage, while Borislav Perko proved himself in last year's NBA Finals against the Knicks. He came up with some big performances to complement the Finals MVP Chauncey Billups.

Memphis Grizzlies

Stephen Curry was the biggest coup in the off-season. He raised many eyebrows when he chose the Grizzlies, but it was for one rather big reason: Blake Griffin. While he played with LeBron James and Greg Oden in Phoenix, he craved the role as the team's playmaker. With the Grizzlies, he's calling the shots and has an incredible force on the inside to provide that inside-outside game so many teams sought after. Along with the often insane rebounding abilities of Nicklas Good and the all-round game of the doppleganger, the Grizzlies could very well push Denver to the limit.

[Andrew]

As always, nice work on the preview. I enjoyed the top five plays too, number five was certainly something a bit different. Hopefully they get the physics right in future games so we can see more unscripted stuff.

[Houndy]

So Borislav has a brother, Eh? Good luck on this series

[megarover]

This Year Skills challenge Winner and Dunk Champion joining forces. They look better than most 8th Seeds.

[Axel The Great]

Good luck against the Grizzlies. These playoffs will be a real test on how this Nuggets team will do without Chauncey Billups. Hope to see Durant step it up against these Grizzlies.

[Martti.]

Jennings will carry you to a title.

[kibaxx7]

Nice idea in the DNA. And also loving the idea of the Perko brothers!

[Warlock95]

Nuggets Perko: If we win, you have to change your name. If you win, I'll change mine.
Grizzlies Perko: Ha! I accept!

[Murat]

Perko brothers - nice idea. Alright, this Grizzlies team is younger than you

[Kenny]

As always, nice work on the preview. I enjoyed the top five plays too, number five was certainly something a bit different. Hopefully they get the physics right in future games so we can see more unscripted stuff.

Thanks Andrew, provided I make it through each round of the playoffs, I want to do a recap of the the history between the two sides before the series begins. With the Western Conference the way it is, there's a lot of teams in there that have tested me along the way, so there'll be something to write about no matter what the results are.

It'd be nice to have the physics correct and still keep the feel of NBA Live 10. I guess I prefer NBA Live's gameplay style over 2k.

So Borislav has a brother, Eh? Good luck on this series

Nice idea in the DNA. And also loving the idea of the Perko brothers!

Nuggets Perko: If we win, you have to change your name. If you win, I'll change mine.
Grizzlies Perko: Ha! I accept!

Perko brothers - nice idea. Alright, this Grizzlies team is younger than you

Okay, my only qualm with the Borislavs being brothers is that why would parents give both their sons the same name? Even Ed and Charles O'Bannon alternated between first and middle. I think the only way it could work is if the father's name is Borislav, he has a love child with another woman and she names it Borislav without knowing that he has a previous son with the same name...

...previously on Melrose Place.

This Year Skills challenge Winner and Dunk Champion joining forces. They look better than most 8th Seeds.

They have a really good team. It might be one of those cases where they slipped through the cracks of a tough conference.

Good luck against the Grizzlies. These playoffs will be a real test on how this Nuggets team will do without Chauncey Billups. Hope to see Durant step it up against these Grizzlies.

Absolutely, it's something the real life Nuggets are going to have to deal with as well but oh well, it was a pretty good deal for Denver in the end.

It'd be nice to see Durant have a starring role.

Jennings will carry you to a title.

I sure hope so

[Kenny]

NBA Playoffs: Denver Vs Memphis
The First Four Games

Game 1: Griffin Quakes Denver; Memphis Lead 1-0



In an incredible start to the NBA Playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies have taken the first game in the 2019 edition, beating Denver 82-76. It was done on the back of Stephen Curry and Blake Griffin, both having strong performances over the formidable Nuggets outfit. Curry led the night's scoring with 28 points, but Blake Griffin picked up the Performer of the Game with 23 points and 14 rebounds. The Memphis Borislav Perko was the other meaningful scorer with 12 points.

For the top seed Nuggets, their very own Borislav Perko was the spark of the night with 25 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks. He starts his playoffs campaign the way he ended his last one and could very well be a key player for Denver if they have plans to move on. While he only scored 14 on the night, Brandon Jennings made an impact on the defensive end, stealing the ball away 7 times from the opposition. J.R. Smith and Kevin Durant both had rather lackluster nights with 13 and 12 each.

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MEM@DEN

MEM: 82 (Curry 28, Griffin 23, Perko 12)
DEN: 76 (Perko 25, Jennings 14, Smith 13)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Blake Griffin 23 points 14 rebounds 3 assists 1 block 1 steal

Rebounds

MEM: Griffin 14
DEN: Perko 9

Assists

MEM: Perko 4
DEN: Jennings 6

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Game 2: Statement Made: Denver ties series



J.R. Smith and Kevin Durant both came back after their underwhelming game one performance to help Denver to a 96-86 win against Memphis in the second game. Earl was the top scorer of the night with 27 points, while Kevin Durant also had a meaningful game with 22. Once again though, Borislav Perko (DEN) would steal their thunder and this time he was announced as the performer of the game. He equalled Durant's feat of 22, but also grabbed 17 boards and topped Denver's assists (6) and blocks (3) categories. Brandon Jennings was the last of the Denver double-digit scorers with 11 points.

All Memphis starters registered double figures in scoring, but Stephen Curry was the only one over twenty (24). While Blake Griffin was contained, he still managed 18 points. Perko and Conners scored 16 and 14. Nicklas Good was the double-double guy for the Grizzlies with 10 points and 16 rebounds.

After the boil-over in the first game, Denver have pegged the series back. The series now heads to Memphis.

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MEM@DEN

DEN: 96 (Smith 27, Durant 22, Perko 22)
MEM: 86 (Curry 24, Griffin 18, Perko 16)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Borislav Perko [DEN] 22 points 17 rebounds 6 assists 3 blocks 1 steal

Rebounds

DEN: Perko 17
MEM: Good 16

Assists

DEN: Perko 6
MEM: Curry 7

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Game 3: Earl Mauls Old Team



J.R. Smith ignited for 44 points as Denver picked up a 93-86 road win against the Grizzlies. He was helped by big-game-performer Borislav Perko who had another double-double night. He came away with 17 points an 13 rebounds. While Kevin Durant (12) and Brandon Jennings (10) both had relatively underwhelming nights, the damage had been done by J.R. Smith as the Grizzlies were left reeling.

Once again, every Memphis player scored in double digits, with only one scoring more than 20. This time it was their Borislav Perko who top scored with 28. However, the story of the night would prove to be Nicklas Good on the glass. He helped his team with 15 points and ammassed an incredible 25 rebounds to be named the Performer of the Game. Roderick Conners scored 14, while Blake Griffin helped Good's dominance on the glass with 13 rebounds to go with his 13 points. Stephen Curry had an unusually cold night with 11 points.

At 2-1, the Nuggets have arrested the momentum in the series. If Memphis aren't on their game, this one could be over before they know it.

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DEN@MEM

DEN: 93 (Smith 44, Perko 17, Durant 12)
MEM: 86 (Perko 28, Good 15, Conners 14)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Nicklas Good 15 points 25 rebounds 2 assists 1 block

Rebounds

DEN: Perko 13
MEM: Good 25

Assists

DEN: Jennings 6
MEM: Perko 4

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Game 4: Rookie Reed Sparks Comeback



An incredible bench effort from Ed Reed took Denver to a 101-96 win over Memphis in game 4. Denver were down by 7 at the half and were looking for someone to step up in the second half. Reed entered the game and proved to be the game winner, leading the team with 29 points. A truly remarkable feat, but its not to overshadow the effort from Denver's Borislav Perko, who registered another career triple-double. He had 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists and would go on to win the Performer of the Game. J.R. Smith came alive in the 4th and ended up with 22 points, while Brandon Jennings helped out with 15.

The Grizzlies out-muscled Denver in the second quarter to the tune of 30-18, but in the second half of the game they were outscored by 56-43. Blake Griffin had another big effort with 25 points and 11 rebounds. The Grizzlies' Borislav Perko also had 20 points. Stephen Curry once again played an unusual complementory role with 16 points, while Roderick Conners was solid with 15. Even though he was overshadowed by Ed Reed, Andy Cooper also had a solid outing off the bench with 12 points.

The Nuggets truly have a stranglehold on this series and head to Denver with a chance to wrap it up in 5. Do the Grizzlies have more fight in them? Or was it used up in the first game?

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DEN@MEM

DEN: 101 (Reed 29, Perko 22, Smith 22)
MEM: 96 (Griffin 25, Perko 20, Curry 16)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Borislav Perko [DEN] 22 points 11 rebounds 10 assists 1 block 1 steal

Rebounds

DEN: Perko 11
MEM: Griffin 11

Assists

DEN: Perko 10
MEM: Conners 4

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With the series at 3-1, Denver now have 3 games to claim a berth in the Conference Semis. Can Smith and Perko continue on their great performances? Will Durant step up? The conclusion to the series will be up soon.

[Axel The Great]

Great game by Reed in Game 4. I love unexpected bench efforts. (I one time scored 38 points with Brent Barry off the bench against the Spurs in Live 10. It was an offline Rockets dynasty though.)

A surprising loss in Game 1, but it looks like you guys can just close out the series in five. Denver's Perko seems to be the superior Borislav, even had a triple-double to prove it.

[kibaxx7]

Great series. Just saw your sig, where is Ty playing now?

[Andrew]

Surprised to see Memphis take the first game but looks like you've got things well in hand now, ready to wrap it up and move on to the next round.

[megarover]

I knew the Grizzlies were a good enough team to take at least one game. I predict the series going to 6 games.

[Houndy]

Finish Strong.

And @ Thierry- He's playing for Olympiakos

[Kenny]

Great game by Reed in Game 4. I love unexpected bench efforts. (I one time scored 38 points with Brent Barry off the bench against the Spurs in Live 10. It was an offline Rockets dynasty though.)

A surprising loss in Game 1, but it looks like you guys can just close out the series in five. Denver's Perko seems to be the superior Borislav, even had a triple-double to prove it.

I'm a big fan of role players having huge games myself. Reed seems to have a knack for hitting some big shots when I need them. Playing a similar role to a player I had last season named Garth Vine; he also had some big games last playoffs. You had Brent Barry in Live 10? Wow, that's awesome! I guess I had Robert Horry, who was pretty much retired by this game... would have signed Jalen Rose if I didn't think he was a tool

The other Perko go an all-defensive honour this year, but my Perko seems to be a big game performer, so I think I'll take that any day

Great series. Just saw your sig, where is Ty playing now?

Finish Strong.

And @ Thierry- He's playing for Olympiakos

His rating declined to 59 and when he was released from my team, he disappeared. So the story is that he's now tearing it apart in the Euroleague with Olympiakos... I believe he's the highest paid player in all of Europe now

Surprised to see Memphis take the first game but looks like you've got things well in hand now, ready to wrap it up and move on to the next round.

Any team with Steph Curry is one that'll cause me some problems. He's developed into a legit star in my game and Blake Griffin isn't far away from that status either. The biggest surprise for me was that they were an 8th seed.

I knew the Grizzlies were a good enough team to take at least one game. I predict the series going to 6 games.

Historically they've been a team that has taken games off me over the course of the playoffs so that game at the start wasn't a huge shock.

[Kenny]

NBA Playoffs: Denver Vs Memphis
The Conclusion

Game 5: Smith and Denver Clinch it in 5



Another red hot game from J.R. Smith saw Denver pick up a 104-96 victory to win the series over Memphis. Smith had the hot hands with 43 points and was named the Performer of the Game. Kevin Durant had some good production of his own with 23 points. Denver's Perko, who was arguably the player of this series had another solid night with 10 points and 14 rebounds to complement Denver's two top scorers.

For the Grizzlies, all five starters had Double-digits once again. Dominant force Blake Griffin led them all with 23 points and 16 rebounds, while Nicklas Good was also strong on the boards with 16 points and 17 rebounds. Stephen Curry returned to being one of the front runners of his team with 21 points. Roderick Conners and Borislav Perko scored 15 each. But the story of the game was the heavy scoring from J.R. Smith. The Grizzlies had no answers for him as he was lethal on all areas of the floor.

Denver now likely to face the Houston Rockets, who have a 3-0 lead in their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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MEM@DEN

DEN: 104 (Smith 43, Durant 23, Perko 10)
MEM: 96 (Griffin 23, Curry 21, Good 16)

Sprite Performer of the Game: J.R. Smith 43 points 2 rebounds 2 assists 3 steals

Rebounds

DEN: Perko 14
MEM: Good 17

Assists

DEN: Jennings 5
MEM: Conners 8

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View the Series Slideshow Here

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After losing the first game of the series, Denver managed to pick up 4 in a row to advance to the Conference Semi Finals. Who will they be matched up against? The first round recap will be up soon.

[Andrew]

No fading away for Smith in this postseason, that first game aside. On to the next round!

[Murat]

[kibaxx7]

Hopefully its Nuggets-Rockets in the next round!

[Houndy]

Lets go JR!