vs. 
Denver Nuggets (32-16, 12-10 road) vs. OKC Thunder (11-37, 8-17 home)
TV: FS Oklahoma (Cox 37, HD 722)
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1 FM, 640 AM)
Offensive Rating: Thunder: 102.5 (28th), Denver: 109.7 (8th)
Defensive Rating: Thunder: 109.1 (20th), Denver: 105.5 (8th)
Pace: Thunder: 93.6 (7th), Denver: 94.5 (5th)
Remember last time? Yeah, that sucked.
But that was when we still thought wins were going to come once every lunar eclipse. Now we realize any given night, these guys can beat anybody – especially at home. So that’s taken some of the sting out of that one. But still, screw you Carmelo and your awesome buzzer-beating capabilities.
There’s a major difference between this meeting and the last – Denver is going to be ready this time. There won’t be any sneaking up on them. They know what will happen if they come out flat. Chauncey Billups raved about OKC’s ability and desire and there’s no doubt the Nuggs will be ready. But even so, is that enough to beat the Thunder at home?
I know that sounds (or reads, whatever) a little crazy. But the Nuggets are coming off a grueler against the San Antonio jayvee team and they may have some heavy legs. Flip side, OKC’s coming in on three days solid rest, with the bad taste of an overtime loss to the Kings in its mouth. Plus, the Thunder’s been very tough at home lately, winning four of five at the Ford Center. The Nuggets are average on the road, sitting at 12-10. And on top of it, Denver hasn’t been on the road much lately, having played 11 of its last 15 at home. They’re looking at a three-week roadie, so a few mental naps are expected. Chauncey Billups sprained his ankle against the Spurs last night and is questionable for tonight. Kenyon Martin is sick and is questionable. So, all that adds up to… maybe the Thunder playing them tough again.
Matchup wise, I don’t think there’s any secret as to what we’ll see. Billups will hit big threes (if he plays) in Earl Watson’s face, Carmelo Anthony will score a bulk of points and guys like Linas Kleiza will drive you nuts by hitting four random threes in the second half. The key matchup is containing Nene. He’s built like a mountain and he’s an aggressive rebounder and a solid offensive threat. Nick Collison and Nenad Krstic will likely get bullied by him, so we may see a steady dose of Chris Wilcox on the Nuggs big man. We can only hope this is one of the random games Wilcox decides to play hard in.
The main key: limit turnovers. The Thunder seems to be figuring weaknesses out one at a time. First it was solving the offense. Then rebounding. Then free throw shooting. Still working on defense. But 20 turns against a top-notch team like Denver can be the difference in winning and losing. Limit turnovers, get all the “hidden points,” take advantage of free points and in general, just bust your butt. That’s what it will take to get sweet revenge on Carmelo Killjoy and company.
Like my friends and I joke, every team has a designated "Team Faller." The guy that falls down every time he forces a shot under the rim or gets bumped and goes flying. Krstic has taken the title from KD on this team.
Someone please tell Krispy he is not going to get a call everytime he falls down... European players irritate me to no end... even the ones on my team...
Despite what the Cox Guide says, I always check that schedule and set my DVR accordingly if I’m not going to be around.
Lesson learned. Thanks.
I don't know about the backcourt rule concerning possession, but the "kicked ball" call was definitely a bad call. Right in front of the ref too, and he botched it.
But seriously, could we have drawn up a worse play with 5 seconds left? A 30 ft fade away jumper with a hand in your face? We had 5 seconds coach, not .5 seconds.
Also, we gave up a 17 point lead. That's sorry right there. I don't know how many times JR Smith nailed a deuce coming off a high pick and roll, when Earl Watson decided to go under the screen. At least 50. I think JR had about 100 points off that same play. Yeah... pretty sure that's right. Everyone in the arena knew what was coming, except Earl. And if he did know it was coming, he sure as heck wasn't going to do anything about it. The more I watch Earl play, the more I'm convinced, if he's on your team, you always have a chance to lose.
Backcourt?!? I'm not sure why it wasn't called... maybe there is something in the rule book that I may not know of. Insane!
@Royce
That's an understatement.
Didn't I just watch this game about a month ago???
Boy, defensively, we just have total lapses.
Thunder up 11 at the half. Had a terrific 25-5 run in the 2nd but gave a few back before the half after Karl calmed down his crew. Still lacking defense tonight, the Nuggets had a dreadful 2nd quarter and still dropped 27 (Thunder scored 39 in the 2nd).
@Jax Raging Bile Duct
They had a "PRINTED" out nice schedule at the Ford Center last game I was at, and it lists which channels each game are on, and whether or not they will be HD. Despite what the Cox Guide says, I always check that schedule and set my DVR accordingly if I'm not going to be around.
I think Mo is probably close to the top in money earned per playing minute. I say why not put him in. Nobody else we have was able to stop Nene in the first game.
Jax Raging Bile Duct :
But, I like it Joe.
Nene vs Sene. Foul him all day. Make him earn his two points the hard way.
:)
But, I like it Joe.
Nene vs Sene. Foul him all day. Make him earn his two points the hard way.
Hey, lets trot out Sene and his long arms and six fouls for a change?
Not really.
Be weary though. My cox TV guide has the game listed on 722 as well, but it actually doesn't air there all the time. I've missed two road games recording nothing but rainbow bars for 2 and a half hours. I've given up on the HD channel, and now only record the lowly channel 37 (for us OKCers).
FYI for Tulsa Cox users the game is on FoxSports Oklahoma Channel 27 and HD 722.
I expect an emphasis on defense tonight. Denver has a little Golden State in their blood, and I don't think Brooks wants to outscore them. We happened to do it against Golden State, but that's not his first choice.
But, the defense hasn't found itself since Mason went out, so we'll see how that goes.
In any case, GO THUNDER!