(2) Nuggets Vs. (7) Hornets

[Lamrock]

But he managed to beat the best team in the league. (Boston has the most titles)

[NovU]

CP3 is a great PG and I don't think he's overrated that much. His team is literally built around CP3, and I don't think any other point guards in the league could have filled his position as good as CP3. Billups also is a great point guard who is really unselfish and is able to hit big shots on any given night. Billups in his career, was under appreciated much but success with Denver placed him in a position where many now see him as one of the best PG, so I think comparison boils down to how they're going to play in this series, although I think it is bit unfair, as Denver has probably a better players and a balanced roster. Personally, I would compare CP3 to Nash as they both are the best players on their own teams. On the other hand, I find Billups too unselfish to claim the title as the best PG in the league, although I do believe he has somewhat of talents to be, if he had motivation and drive for the personal achievement like Kobe did.

[Modifly]

benji, your're absolutely right. What I was trying to say was that Billups is better than Chris Paul at the moment eventhough Paul's stats are better than Billups. However I still dont think David West can be where he is at now without the help of Chris Paul, but I think Paul can be where he is without the help of West. I dont think West is highly capable of creating his own shots, most of his points are set up by Paul or others.

[CMJ3]

Another great win by the Nuggets, just need to carry this form into New Orleans and we could possibly sweep although i expect the Hornets to come out firing game 3 at home. Billups is playing some amazing basketball, not a turnover yet.

[Oakrhum]

Paul is better than Billups head to head but the Nuggets are better than the Hornets collectively.

[Andrew]

It doesn't look like I gave the Nuggets enough credit picking them in seven. I think New Orleans will rally at home and won't let Denver advance with a sweep but so far it hasn't been as close as I would've thought.

[homicide1550]

I still believe the Hornets will win Game 3 and then lose the next 2 games.. Denver has got this, they are playing some great basketball right now..

[Scotty]

Hornets win game 3... Nuggets stole the in bounds pass and had a full shot clock for a potential game winner as they were only down 1. Melo drove and dished it to an open K-Mart 5ft from the basket, but Posey tipped the ball and the ball landed back in Melo's hands at the corner of the FT line. There was about 6.8 seconds still left on the clock and yet Melo instantly put the shot up, off balance, misses, hornets grab rebound, game over. 94-93 i think it was. This was after Denver was down 10, with only 1-2 minutes left. So it was a fierce comeback and Denver showed great fight, but what im about to elaborate on next was quite frustrating...

So after sleeping on it (game was at 3am so went back to bed after it) i'm quite frustrated and baffled at why Melo put that off balance J straight up after the deflection from K-Mart.I only just realised he could've no should've brought the ball back out and either dished it or made a quick breakdown move like a hesitation that he's so good at, then a better jumpshot which he can make/has made plenty of gamewinning jumpshots on 1 on 1 plays... Cause seriously there was over 6 seconds left... There was no shot clock at the start of the possession, so no matter what we were allowed the ball until the buzzer... Fuuuuck...

EDIT: and for those who didnt know:

Anthony hurt his right elbow in the fourth quarter. Team officials said the injury was a contusion and that he was probable for Game 4

[Modifly]

Tough loss then, Anthony should have taken the ball out and set up a better shot according to your post (I haven't seen the game), but a lot of people tends to do stupid things under pressure of the clock and especially when they needed a basket.

[Oakrhum]

No surprises.

[Fresh8]

wow... the Nuggets absolutely annihilated the hornets... 105-55... damn...

[Calamaro]

Actually the final score was 121 - 63
What was wrong with Paul? 30 minutes and 4 points...

[Lamrock]

Wow. Hornets got drenched in bug spray. Who loses by 58 points at home?! Let alone in the playoffs. Is this some sort of record? Its the biggest blow-out I've ever seen. Wow...

Guess the Nuggets will be feeling pretty good about Game 5.

[Fresh8]

Yeah, my bad... 121-63... damn

[CMJ3]

nice win boys way to redeem yourself from game 3. I had a feeling we'd come out and prove something this game, once we take care of the Hornets im pretty sure we could handle the Mavs also.

[Scotty]

Lol i watched just about the whole game. It was a combination of Denver playing like beasts and New Orleans being smothered by Denver. CP3 just couldn't get his shots, if he did get into the lane then he was blocked. Mid way through the third quarter New Orleans just started making horrible TO's, but they were already down 30 odd.

Will be interesting to see how both teams come out in Game 5. And yeah if we do win i like our chances against the Mavs. 4-0 in the regular season, we have their number...
C'Mon Denver, lets finish this in Game 5

[Lamrock]

Denver/Lakers conference finals. I should make a thread.

[benji]

Wow. Hornets got drenched in bug spray. Who loses by 58 points at home?! Let alone in the playoffs. Is this some sort of record? Its the biggest blow-out I've ever seen. Wow...

I looked it up for Dr. Seth earlier, it ties the record for biggest playoff blow out that I could find. From 1956 or something, Lakers vs. Hawks.

EDIT: ESPN confirms. (Took them long enough to update the recap with this info.)

[mvpshaq32]

The Hornets defense was a complete trainwreck in the first half and that's when I stopped watching. Their interior defense was especially pathetic and the Nuggets ran the same play in the paint several times for Nene, Birdman, and Kleiza.
The Hornets were plain sluggish in all aspects and the Nuggets capitalized on it. The only person that seemed to be playing with some spark was Posey and even that didn't last long.
This game pretty much showed that the Hornets desperately need a reliable and consistent scoring option. Both Peja and West have been on and off this series and it doesn't even have to do with the defense. They've been missing critical, wide open shots and even lay-ups. Jannero Pargo did a decent job last season coming off the bench and was never scared to create plays.

But anyways, props to the Nuggets on their performance tonight. They completely humiliated the Hornets at home and if they keep this up, I think we can expect a Nuggets-Lakers WCF matchup.

[NovU]

I gotta admit that I thought this series was going to be a closer one that we're seeing right now. I also would like to see how this team will match up against the lakers. Denver's got size under the paint as well as the speed to run the floor.

[mshooter24]

..hornets lost by 58 points...denver was too much for them.....

[Oakrhum]

This reminds me of my first superstar mode loss. Pity the Hornets.

[Martti.]

Wow, losing like that on your home court.. I guess this will be over in 5 games..

[Stress Fracture]

Wow, losing like that on your home court.. I guess this will be over in 5 games..

It's sure that the Nuggets will finish it off in 5. NOH just got demoralized because of that loss. CP3 is now getting stressed.

[Fresh8]

That's right Iverson, look at how Billups plays. He can actually run a team.