- Mar 2, 2006
- 4,794
- 120
- 0
ATS: 149-109-7 (+46.0)
OU: 73-63-2 (+2.4)
ML dogs: 5-11 (+0.6)
Nuggets
I learned something important about this Nuggets team a few days ago, when they traveled on a back to back to Sacramento and pulled out a win and cover. This team is on a mission. They have been playing great teams lately, and in view of their schedule, this game looks like the perfect spot for a letdown from them. Except... one thing. What does it look like, when one of the best teams in the league, a team that plays relentlessly and expertly on their home court, seeks revenge for one of their three home losses this season?
At practice on Friday, George Karl presented his team with the following question:
"'Who are the only three teams to beat us at home this year?' he asked.
Without hesitation, the players answered in unison.
'Miami, Minnesota, Washington.'
'Who are we playing tomorrow?'
'Minnesota.'
When you are tied for the best home record (27-3) in the NBA, the rare setbacks tend to stick in the memory bank.
Two months later, the Nuggets (41-22) have won seven in a row overall and 12 in a row at Pepsi Center. They are determined not to let the T-Wolves catch them sleeping as they make their push for playoff seeding.
'We can?t take them lightly,' Denver point guard Ty Lawson said. 'That?s what we did in the first game. Kevin Love got hurt and we let our guard down. They came in and beat us. We?ve got a chip on our shoulder this time and we?re going to make sure that doesn?t happen again.'"
Barea gave his take on the Nuggets: ?You've got to keep them away from the paint. Make them a half court team and live with it. Run on them on the other end.? The Timberwolves are 27th in the league in transition effectiveness, and the Nuggets defense is 2nd in defending transition. The Wolves are not a fastbreak team, as only 12.39% of their points per game come in transition (as opposed to the Nuggets where 18.57% of their points come in transition). The Wolves are in the bottom ten in guarding the fast break. They are in the bottom half in the league at guarding the paint. Now, with Kirilenko, Pekovic, and Love out of the line up, their interior defense is virtually non-existent. So... good luck Barea. It is nice to talk up your game plan, but you may find it a lot harder to execute.
The thing I love about this team is that they have depth like no other team. I realize the Clippers bench is great, but if the Nuggets bench played the Clippers bench, Nuggets win 8 out of 10. Their backups would beat their starters about 50% of the time. So, there is no drop off in rotation, which is what makes it super tough for teams to hang around for the duration of a whole game. And, if players aren't playing well, they can easily be replaced. This pushes them to play hard every night, and their team chemistry is exactly where it should be at this point in the season.
I think this will be an annihilation tonight. Well, simply put, it will be... Payback, Nuggets style.
Nuggets -14.5 x2
Bucks +3.5
Nets +3
May have more later...
Good luck...
OU: 73-63-2 (+2.4)
ML dogs: 5-11 (+0.6)
Nuggets
I learned something important about this Nuggets team a few days ago, when they traveled on a back to back to Sacramento and pulled out a win and cover. This team is on a mission. They have been playing great teams lately, and in view of their schedule, this game looks like the perfect spot for a letdown from them. Except... one thing. What does it look like, when one of the best teams in the league, a team that plays relentlessly and expertly on their home court, seeks revenge for one of their three home losses this season?
At practice on Friday, George Karl presented his team with the following question:
"'Who are the only three teams to beat us at home this year?' he asked.
Without hesitation, the players answered in unison.
'Miami, Minnesota, Washington.'
'Who are we playing tomorrow?'
'Minnesota.'
When you are tied for the best home record (27-3) in the NBA, the rare setbacks tend to stick in the memory bank.
Two months later, the Nuggets (41-22) have won seven in a row overall and 12 in a row at Pepsi Center. They are determined not to let the T-Wolves catch them sleeping as they make their push for playoff seeding.
'We can?t take them lightly,' Denver point guard Ty Lawson said. 'That?s what we did in the first game. Kevin Love got hurt and we let our guard down. They came in and beat us. We?ve got a chip on our shoulder this time and we?re going to make sure that doesn?t happen again.'"
Barea gave his take on the Nuggets: ?You've got to keep them away from the paint. Make them a half court team and live with it. Run on them on the other end.? The Timberwolves are 27th in the league in transition effectiveness, and the Nuggets defense is 2nd in defending transition. The Wolves are not a fastbreak team, as only 12.39% of their points per game come in transition (as opposed to the Nuggets where 18.57% of their points come in transition). The Wolves are in the bottom ten in guarding the fast break. They are in the bottom half in the league at guarding the paint. Now, with Kirilenko, Pekovic, and Love out of the line up, their interior defense is virtually non-existent. So... good luck Barea. It is nice to talk up your game plan, but you may find it a lot harder to execute.
The thing I love about this team is that they have depth like no other team. I realize the Clippers bench is great, but if the Nuggets bench played the Clippers bench, Nuggets win 8 out of 10. Their backups would beat their starters about 50% of the time. So, there is no drop off in rotation, which is what makes it super tough for teams to hang around for the duration of a whole game. And, if players aren't playing well, they can easily be replaced. This pushes them to play hard every night, and their team chemistry is exactly where it should be at this point in the season.
I think this will be an annihilation tonight. Well, simply put, it will be... Payback, Nuggets style.
Nuggets -14.5 x2
Bucks +3.5
Nets +3
May have more later...
Good luck...
Last edited:
opcorn2
