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

Destroy Them !

OKC had a nice roster, you will have a hard time beating them unless Earl Smith scores 50

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

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

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

Oh I've got the pressure of expectation now. OKC has a great bench. Any team would be happy with Jeff Green as a bench player I think.

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.

Stanley Alston was the first pick of this year's draft, so him starting isn't so much of a surprise to me. I also controlled him a bit in the rookie game, the dude has skills. As for switching Durant and Gay... they can causes headaches no matter where they are, and Rudy Gay is ridiculously athlethic. He took me to school in one of my earlier reports.

Hope you take out the Thunder. Good luck!

Destroy Them !

Thanks guys, I shall do my best.

OKC had a nice roster, you will have a hard time beating them unless Earl Smith scores 50

or Melo could score 100

Game 1: Thunder shock Nuggets in first game



After being completely dominant in their first round over Portland, the Denver Nuggets came back to earth copping a blowout, going down 88-63. The series' key matchup of Anthony and Durant didn't disappoint, as they both scored 25 points each to lead their sides. However, it proved to be this year's first overall pick to be the game breaker. Stanley Alston picked up the Sprite Performer of the Game with his stat line of 23 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists and 1 block.

It proved to be a complete demolition from the Thunder, with Rudy Gay (17) and Russell Westbrook (13) amongst the points, while Joel Przybilla (12 rebounds) was hitting the boards.

For Denver, as well as Melo, it looked like it was going to be Beasley's night, scoring 10 points in the first quarter. He would round out the game with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Chauncey Billups and Matt Bonner picked up 8 points each.

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OKC@DEN

OKC: 88 (Durant 25, Alston 23, Gay 17, Westbrook 13)
DEN: 63 (Anthony 25, Beasley 14, Billups 8, Bonner 8)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Stanley Alston 23 points 7 assists 3 rebounds 1 block

Rebounds

OKC: Przybilla 12
DEN: Beasley 8

Assists

OKC: Westbrook 8
DEN: Andersen, Billups, Wallace 3

Double-doubles

OKC: none
DEN: none
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Game 2: Nuggets overcome Thunder in Overtime



Despite another 50 plus point game from Carmelo Anthony, it took Denver an extra period to beat Oklahoma City 111-107. Anthony scored 56 on the night, while he was backed up excellently by Chauncey Billups, who had a 20-10 game. But not to be easily outdone, the Thunder kept coming at the Nuggets, with Rudy Gay scoring 39 points and Kevin Durant netting 23. Oklahoma City had all 5 starters in double figures, with Alston (19), Przybilla (12) and Westbrook (10) rounding out the major scorers

One of the pivotal points of the game came when Ben Wallace got this shot in while fouled. He not only made the free throw as well... he was 5/5 at the line! No that's not a typo, he made all 5 free throws he attempted.

Check it out:

phpBB [video]

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OKC@DEN

DEN: 111 (Anthony 56, Billups 20, smith 12)
OKC: 107 (Gay 39, Durant 23, Alston 19)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Carmelo Anthony 56 points 9 rebounds

Rebounds

DEN: Andersen 18
OKC: Przybilla 19

Assists

DEN: Billups 10
OKC: Alston, Westbrook 8

Double-doubles

DEN: Billups (20 points, 10 assists)
OKC: Gay (39 points, 10 rebounds), Przybilla (12 points, 19 rebounds)

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Game 3: Denver crush Oklahoma City at home



Denver defeated Oklahoma City in their first home game of the series by 89-74. For the first time this playoffs, Carmelo Anthony wasn't the high point man for Denver, it was in fact, Chauncey Billups. He followed up his excellent game 2 with another 21 points this game. Melo wasn't far behind, he scored 18, while Beasley and Bonner scored 12 a piece.

For Oklahoma City, Russell Westbrook scored 25, while Gay (16) and Durant (14) were somewhat sub-par compared to their previous efforts. Alston also picked up 14 points.

It's one thing for Carmelo Anthony to be running hot, but if Chauncey Billups gets in his playoff mood, there's no telling how much damaged Denver can do this playoffs.

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OKC@DEN

DEN: 89 (Billups 21, Anthony 18, Beasley 12, Bonner 12)
OKC: 74 (Westbrook 25, Gay 16, Durant 14, Alston 14)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Chauncey Billups 21 points 5 assists 2 rebounds 2 steals

Rebounds

DEN: Andersen, Beasley 12
OKC: Przybilla 13

Assists

DEN: Billups 5
OKC: Alston, Durant 7

Double-doubles

DEN: Beasley (12 points, 12 rebounds)
OKC: none

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Game 4: Denver downed at home



The Thunder proved the first game was no fluke by defeating the Nuggets at home 88-84. Kevin Durant had an outstanding game, scoring 32 points and shooting a stupid field goal percentage of 70 and 50 from behind the arc. Alston (18), Gay (13) and Przybilla (12) provided good scoring backup for him.

For Denver, Melo topped scored with 23, while Smith got 19. Beasley (14) and Bonner (11) were the other two meaningful scorers of the game.

Despite a well rounded team effort from the Nuggets, it proved to be Kevin Durant's night. Everything seemed to be falling for him.

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OKC@DEN

OKC: 88 (Durant 32, Alston 18, Gay 13, Przybilla 12)
DEN: 84 (Anthony 23, Smith 19, Beasley 14, Bonner 11)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Kevin Durant 32 points 6 rebounds 3 assists

Rebounds

OKC: Przybilla 18
DEN: Andersen 15

Assists

DEN: Billups 11
OKC: Westbrook 8

Double-doubles

DEN: none
OKC: Przybilla (12 points, 18 rebounds)

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The series stands at 2-2. It's been tough so far. Durant and Gay are proving to be matchup nightmares at the moment.

Looks like your in a tough series hopefully you can progress.

Melo is being held in check so to speak in this series. Looks like others are stepping up though. Keep at it man!

Ok, looks it wasn't easy as I thought. Good luck next games, man.

Looks like your in a tough series hopefully you can progress.

Ok, looks it wasn't easy as I thought. Good luck next games, man.

It's been very tough, but hopefully I can get through this one. I don't want to be knocked out in the 2nd round again.

Melo is being held in check so to speak in this series. Looks like others are stepping up though. Keep at it man!

Yeah, he's really only had that one massive game, the rest has been roughly around we he has been all season. I'm doing my best to distribute the ball more amongst the team as well.

Game 5: Melo hits game winner



In a game full of tension, the Denver Nuggets have narrowly escape with a win at home by defeating the Thunder 91-89. In a game that went back and forth through the duration, it was tied at 89. Durant had a chance to put Oklahoma City up by two, but he missed the open shot that was created. With the last possession of the game, Denver got the ball in the hands of their MVP, Carmelo Anthony. Here's how it went:

phpBB [video]

Anthony ended up with 32 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Earl Smith supported him well with 25, while Matt Bonner (12) was the only other double figure scorer for Denver.

For the Thunder, Kevin Durant had another good night with 28 points, as well as Rudy Gay, who had 21. Russell Westbrook (16) and Stanley Alston (14) were the other double figure scorers.

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OKC@DEN

DEN: 91 (Anthony 32, Smith 25, Bonner 12)
OKC: 89 (Durant 28, Gay 21, Westbrook 16)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Carmelo Anthony 32 points 10 rebounds

Rebounds

DEN: Andersen 15
OKC: Przybilla 17

Assists

DEN: Billups 10
OKC: Westbrook 9

Double-doubles

DEN: Carmelo Anthony (32 points, 10 rebounds)
OKC: Rudy Gay (21 points, 15 rebounds)

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Game 6: Denver avoid game 7... just



If there wasn't enough tension in the previous game, then there was more than enough in this one, as Denver won against Oklahoma City 83-82. Denver made a wonderful comeback, being down by as many as 15 in the 3rd quarter. They found it incredibly hard to handle Rudy Gay, who scored 28 points. Kevin Durant played a good supporting role to him as he got 19 points himself. But not wanting the game to go to a deciding 7th, Denver rallied back thanks to a team effort.

Carmelo Anthony and Michael Beasley were amongst the points with 20 and 19 respectively. However, the game ended up relying on Chauncey Billups' free throws. He did excellently to make all his free throws... until the game got within the last 5 seconds, where he uncharacteristically missed both of his chances, which left Denver a 1 point lead and the Thunder with a chance to win it. Kevin Durant had a shot from almost half court to win the game, but fortunately for Denver fans, it went astray.

Joel Przybilla picked up the Sprite Performer of the game with 12 points and 17 rebounds. Denver will go on to play either the Sacramento Kings or the San Antonio Spurs. The series is locked at 3-3.
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DEN@OKC

DEN: 83 (Anthony 20, Beasley 19, Billups 14)
OKC: 82 (Gay 28, Durant 19, Przybilla 12)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Joel Przybilla 12 points 17 rebounds

Rebounds

DEN: Andersen 12
OKC: Przybilla 17

Assists

DEN: Andersen, Anthony, Beasley 3
OKC: Alston, Durant 8

Double-doubles

DEN: none
OKC: Przybilla (12 points, 17 rebounds)

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Click on the picture to view the slideshow of the Denver Vs Oklahoma City Playoff series


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After an epic series, Denver are now through to the Western Conference Finals. Will they play their most recent rivals the Spurs or will Sacramento go through?

The preview for the next round will be up soon.

Great wins that could have easily gone the other say. Good luck in the conference finals. Gotta say I like your chances with the Lake Show out of it.

Awesome series with OKC. Looks like Melo is going to get the ring he deserves.

Congrats on getting the win, nice work taking Game 5 in dramatic fashion. Good luck in the WCF!

Great wins that could have easily gone the other say. Good luck in the conference finals. Gotta say I like your chances with the Lake Show out of it.

Thanks mate. The Lakers being out of the playoffs is definitely a big advantage for me. I always seem to struggle against their team of doom.

Awesome series with OKC. Looks like Melo is going to get the ring he deserves.

Not counting my chickens just yet, but I'm definitely getting closer to getting Melo a ring. That series against OKC is right up there with last season's first round matchup with Houston.

Congrats on getting the win, nice work taking Game 5 in dramatic fashion. Good luck in the WCF!

I try my best to make the playoff moments in the game . And thanks, I'm just about to do my summary on the next round.

[Kenny]

Playoff Preview

Playoff tree



Results

WEST
-----
[4] SAC 4 defeats 3 SAN [8]
[2] DEN 4 defeats 3 OKC [6]

EAST
-----
[1] CLE 4 defeats 2 NJN [5]
[2] WAS 4 defeats 0 ORL [3]


Denver Vs Sacramento preview

After their disappointment last year, Denver have made it to the West Conference Finals, and the team they play against? Sacramento: a team all too familiar with heartbreak at this time of the season. Kings fans would love to forget how their hearts sank when Robert Horry sank that buzzer beating 3 against them when the Lakers were dominant. But the Lakers are out of the race and Robert Horry is retired. Is this a chance for the Kings to atone for their previous let downs? Or is this the chance for Denver to make it to their first NBA Finals? Both teams have so much to play for, apart from the obvious.

Key players

Sacramento

Kevin Martin: He is the main reason why they're playing at such a high level. He's a dangerous scorer and is emerging as one of the best two men in the game. Earl is going to have to guard him for most of the series and he will have his work cut out for him.

Andres Nocioni: Not neccessarily for his offensive prowess, although he can be quite good. He is a key man because he will be defending Carmelo Anthony. This will be a telling point of the series.

Denver

Carmelo Anthony: Well, he's been the man of the playoffs. Although his series against Oklahoma City was pretty modest compared to the first round, most players in the NBA would take the stats he put up. If he can be as devastating as he was against Portland, this series could be over pretty quickly.

Chauncey Billups: While he's had his glimpses of old, he has not been a huge threat on the offensive game as a whole. If his defensive game can pick up for this series, it would very much be welcomed by the Denver Nuggets team.

The lineups
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SACRAMENTO

The starters



C: David Andersen | PF: Mike Dunleavy | SF: Andres Nocioni | SG: Kevin Martin | PG: Beno Udrih |

The bench



| Francisco Garcia | Omri Casspi | Tyreke Evans | Bart Harvey | Sean May | Rashad McCants | Donte Greene |

Injury Reserve



| Ryan Zimmerman | Tyler Hansbrough | Jason Thompson |

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 will be up very soon.

Last edited by Kenny on Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:31 pm, edited 3 times in total.

whoaa Rudy Gay, Kevin Durant and Kevin Martin in the same team

whoaa Rudy Gay, Kevin Durant and Kevin Martin in the same team

damnit, I was hoping no one would see that. I basically used the same template as my OKC preview and I forgot to replace Durant's and Gay's pictures with Dunleavy and Nocioni. Good job spotting the stuff up

No one can deceive the eyes of dare you can ask The X about it

I wouldn't bet on that Kings team to get into the WCF... Not mine, either.

I won't jinx you by predicting another sweep, but I'll still pick you to win. Good luck, looking forward to the results.

No one can deceive the eyes of dare you can ask The X about it

I'll have to remember that. It's nice to have you posting in my dynasty

I wouldn't bet on that Kings team to get into the WCF... Not mine, either.

I guess they'd be the underdog story of the year. They don't have the most talented looking lineup, but they did well to get so deep into the playoffs.

I won't jinx you by predicting another sweep, but I'll still pick you to win. Good luck, looking forward to the results.

Thanks mate, they'll be up very soon.

Game 1: Denver win in blowout



Denver have pulled off an impressive first up win against Sacramento by beating them 83-65. Despite the blowout win, there was no real dominating scorer for the Nuggets, with 5 people in double figures. Michael Beasley le d the way with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Billups scored 15. Anthony (12), Bonner (12) and Chris Andersen (10) were the other notable scorers.

For Sacramento, it was a long night away from home, but they managed to have 4 double figure scorers with Udrih netting 16 and Martin with 15 to lead the way. Aussie David Andersen was hitting the boards with 19 rebounds, but even with that amazing effort, Denver were the far superior side.

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SAC@DEN

DEN: 83 (Beasley 16, Billups 15, Anthony 12, Bonner 12)
SAC: 65 (Udrih 16, Martin 15, Dunleavy 11, Nocioni 10)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Michael Beasley 16 points 11 rebounds

Rebounds

DEN: Beasley 11
SAC: D Andersen 19

Assists

DEN: Anthony 5
SAC: Udrih 5

Double-doubles

DEN: Beasley (16 points, 11 rebounds)
SAC: none

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Game 2: Closer game, but same result



After another impressive performance by Michael Beasley, the Denver Nuggets have narrowly beaten Sacramento 89-87. He exposed a mismatch against Dunleavy and recorded 33 points. He was supported by Carmelo Anthony who had 22. For Sacramento, their star player Kevin Martin had a strong game with 34 points. He and Benoh Udrih (22) managed to keep Sacramento in the game the whole time. David Andersen had another great defensive game by picking up 15 rebounds.

Beasley receives a sweet dime from Billups

phpBB [video]

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SAC@DEN

DEN: 89 (Beasley 33, Anthony 22, Bonner 11)
SAC: 87 (Martin 34, Udrih 22, Dunleavy 14)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Michael Beasley 33 points 12 rebounds

Rebounds

DEN: Beasley 12
SAC: D Andersen 15

Assists

DEN: Billups 12
SAC: Udrih 8

Double-doubles

DEN: Beasley (33 points, 12 rebounds)
SAC: none

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Game 3: Denver 1 game from conference title



The Nuggets recorded another crushing victory against the Kings, this time in California's capital to win 90-74. After taking a supporting role in the first 2 games, Carmelo Anthony was the game's high scorer in this one, scoring 29 points and receiving the Sprite Performer of the Game. Smith also refound some form with 23 points, while Beasley and Billups both scored 14 points each. For Sacramento, Martin and Udrih once again did the majority of the scoring, with 23 and 18 respectively, while Andersen and Dunleavy both picked up 12 boards each.

Unfortunately for Dave Andersen, he might be starring in Melo's new poster:

phpBB [video]

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DEN@SAC

DEN: 90 (Anthony 29, Smith 23, Beasley 14, Billups 14)
SAC: 74 (Martin 23, Udrih 18, Dunleavy 9)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Carmelo Anthony 29 points 5 rebounds 2 assists

Rebounds

DEN: C Andersen 9
SAC: D Andersen, Dunleavy 12

Assists

DEN: Billups 7
SAC: Udrih 7

Double-doubles

DEN: none
SAC: none

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Game 4: Denver win the Western Conference



For the first time since they were a team in the ABA in 1976, the Denver Nuggets have won the Western Conference title, completing a sweep against the Sacramento Kings by winning 96-91.

The scoring was evenly distributed amongst the Denver team, with 6 players hitting double figures. Anthony and Beasley led the way with 19 points each. Billups also had a great night with 18 points of his own. Smith (14), Andersen (13) and Chalmers (11) rounded out the other double figure scorers.

For the Kings, they only had 3 double figure scorers, with Martin (26), Dunleavy (16) and Udrih (14) all keeping Sacramento competitive. Unfortunately for them, this series never looked like it was going to go their way, despite how competitive they were in game 2 and 4.

Denver will now go on to play the winner of the Eastern Conference. It is between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Washington Wizards.

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DEN@SAC

DEN: 96 (Anthony 19, Beasley 19, Billups 18)
SAC: 91 (Martin 26, Dunleavy 16, Udrih 14)

Sprite Performer of the Game: Michael Beasley 19 points 11 rebounds

Rebounds

DEN: C Andersen, Beasley 11
SAC: D Andersen, Dunleavy 11

Assists

DEN: Billups 7
SAC: Udrih 8

Double-doubles

DEN: Beasley (19 points, 11 rebounds) C Andersen (13 points, 11 rebounds)
SAC: Dunleavy (16 points, 11 rebounds)

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Click the picture for a slideshow of this series:



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Results will be up from the Eastern Conference Finals very soon. Plus I'm going to be doing an NBA Finals preview as well.

wow a sweep, now get Melo that ring

Playoff tree



Results

WEST
[2] DEN 4 defeats 0 SAC [4]

EAST
[1] CLE 4 defeats 2 WAS [2]

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I'm going to dedicate a whole post to the NBA Finals preview. Thanks for all who have been reading throughout the season

wow a sweep, now get Melo that ring

Well, he's closer than he's even been before . I'll do my best

Congrats, a couple of close ones but the better team certainly won. Cavs/Nuggets seems an appropriate showdown.