Don't get drunk on the twin-tower hype. There is a remedy!
Two of the top 5 centers in the league vs one. N.O. Fair! I cry foul!
Pre-Game Thoughts: Yes, the sarcasm Italics can also be utilized in headlines; Even when it's just a shameless pun. I'd like to start with some humor from our rookie Spaniard Juancho, on Devin Booker's sizzling performance for the Suns the other night: between booker and me we scored 70 today .. not bad. I also appreciate his disdain for capitalization.
Tonight, unlike most nights, seems like an Ideal game to start Plumkic, but Malone has not shown much of an ability to think outside the box this season, so we shall see. Either way, the idea of Chandler, as good as he is defensively, guarding Davis or Cousins is a freighting one, especially coupled with the fact that it leaves Big Honey to contend with the other, and given that A.D. is every bit as agile, fast and athletic as Chandler, and demonstrably larger. We simply can't afford to be at a size/athleticism deficit at both positions, especially defensively. Cousins may or may not play tonight, and that SHOULD determine our starting lineup, but likely won't.
Update: For a change, the Nuggets are the healthier team than their opponent. Boogie, Asik and Pondexter will all sit this one out for the Pels. Scratch that earlier lineup suggestion and run these sucka's out of the gym.
Qtr1- Hastings thinks he's pretty clever, alluding to the F word in the pre-game. Big Honey is aggressive early. He really seems to believe that not anyone, even "The Brow" can defend him, and he's probably correct. Gallo draws a foul on A.D. and drills a 3+1 for a 4 point play. Harris is getting hot and Denver is up by 7 after 6 minutes of play. Jameer is distributing nicely thus far. With that being said, the official scorer is being extremely generous with just what is and is not an assist. A.D. is the first player in double figures. No players are in foul trouble for either side. Harris plays the entire 1st, Jokic has 6-7-1, A.D. with 14-6-2 and the score after 1, which concludes on a buzzer beating 3 by Davis, is 29-26 Pels.
Qtr2- The post-trade Pels do not have half the bench skill that Denver has, but are thus far severely outplaying them. Gallo/Plumlee/Faried are simply not hustling for boards, and Barton/Murray can't buy a shot. The Nuggets starters return, down 10 after 5 minutes of play, as does A.D. Crawford is the only player for either team with 2 fouls. Pels are on a 26-6 run! Hill nabs his 2nd foul at the 5:30 mark. Harris is the 1st Nugget in double figures. Zero energy for Denver right now, and the Pels are up 15 at the 3 minute mark. The Nuggets have the look of a team looking past N.O. to the huge match-up in PDX on Tuesday. Jokic has 8-12-1, Davis with 18-9-2, and the Nuggets have a season low 40 1st half points, on 33% shooting, resulting in N.O. leading at the half, 55-40.
Qtr3- Nori drops a "420" in his halftime interview. Jokic is forcing it, plain and simple. Someone from the bench is going to have to get hot, or this is going to be one of the worst losses of the year. Ally must be cold, as she's covered her beautiful cobalt dress, with a Grandma shall. 2 minutes in, and neither team has scored. A.D. has a 2d with 23-10. Gallo is the 2nd Nugget in double figures. N.O. stretches the lead to 22 after 3 Minutes of play. Jokic with a hard, frustration foul on Davis. Juancho and Darth get their first minutes at the 5 minute mark, trailing by 23. Holiday is the 2nd Pels player in double figures. N.O. is in the bonus with 4 to play, up 25. Nuggets are now in the bonus with 3 to go. No Plumlee thus far in the 2nd half. No players in foul trouble for either squad. Jokic with 8-13-2, Davis with 31-15-3 and the Pels are up big after three, 88-59
Qtr 4- Denver combined to score 33 points in the 2nd and 3rd qtr's, on 23% shooting. Pathetic! Plumlee is in to start the 4th. Frazier is the 3rd Pels player in double figures. Sooooooo, ya think maybe you can let Mudiay and Hibbert out of the doghouse Malone? Moore is the 4th Pels player in double figures. Mudiay checks in at the 7 minute mark. Crawford becomes the 5th Pels player to reach double figures, to Denver's 2, and those 2 have only 11 & 13 respectively! N.O. is up a ridiculous 34 points at the 6 minute mark. Mike "The Human White Flag" Miller checks in at the 5:30 mark, and it is officially garbage time. Murray and Plumlee in the give & go are the only bright spots tonight, but it's too litte - too late. Plumlee is the 3rd Nugget in double figures. Murray is the 4th Nugget in double figures, with 2 to play, down 26. The Nuggets shoot a paltry 38% and lose to New Orleans, 115-90
Final Thoughts- END THE JANIGHTMERE! Free Mudiay! I can not believe I'm saying this, but (gulp) go Lakers!
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