March 29, 2006: Jazz @ Nuggets

[RhymesayersDU]

http://www.nba.com/media/nuggets/MagicNumber_Banner_6.jpg

Nuggets can inch closer to Northwest Division title vs. Jazz

Utah (33-37) at Denver (40-31) 10:00 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- With their sixth consecutive home victory, the Denver Nuggets can widen the gap in the race for the Northwest Division crown.

Denver looks to win for the 10th time in 13 contests Wednesday when they host the Utah Jazz in their third meeting of the season.

The Nuggets lead the Jazz by 6 1/2 games in the division race, which would give them their first division title in 18 years and the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and Andre Miller added 24 for Denver, which had a three-game losing streak stopped with Saturday's 107-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Despite having lost three of their past five outings to lose ground to Denver, the Jazz are 1 1/2 games in back of Sacramento for eighth place in the West after overtaking slumping New Orleans.

Carlos Boozer scored 21 points, Deron Williams had 20 and Utah limited the Hornets to 12 fourth-quarter points in Monday's 104-80 victory.

Utah suffered its worst loss to Denver in their first meeting this season, a 113-83 defeat January 20. However, the Jazz bounced back for a 103-90 triumph over the Nuggets on February 1.

[ludo21]

Jazz are still fighting to make the playoffs, ill take them in a close one.

[Boobs McGee]

Jazz are still fighting to make the playoffs, ill take them in a close one.

HATER!!!! jk

Come on man, jazz are goin down. Boozer breaks his knee in the first quarter and we outrebound Kirilinko and Harper.

We go up early and never look back.;D

[RhymesayersDU]

Seattle did us a major favor last night by beating Memphis, we really have to keep pace with a win tonight to get home court in the first round of the playoffs.

[Boobs McGee]

Who do you think we're gonna be playin first round? I'm guessin the Clippers myself, unless the Lakers decide to do something spectacular.

[RhymesayersDU]

Who do you think we're gonna be playin first round? I'm guessin the Clippers myself, unless the Lakers decide to do something spectacular.
Memphis probably. Hopefully at least, we match up with them well and they can't win in Denver.

[Boobs McGee]

Memphis probably. Hopefully at least, we match up with them well and they can't win in Denver.

That would be nice. We definitely need home court though, cause WE can't play in memphis.

[RhymesayersDU]

That would be nice. We definitely need home court though, cause WE can't play in memphis.
Well that's not entirely true. We've taken some games from them in their house the past couple years. This year we lost @ Memphis because Mike Miller played out of his mind.

On the other hand, Memphis hasn't won in Denver since like 2000. Anyways, I just think we have a better chance at taking a game in Memphis then they do of taking a game in Denver. Home court isn't absolutely necesary, but it would be nice.

[Nuggets4]

My biggest concern is finding a way to dodge the Clippers in the first round.

[RhymesayersDU]

My biggest concern is finding a way to dodge the Clippers in the first round.
Yes and no. I mean, the back to back ass kickings they gave us are cause for concern, but we're a new team with Ruben and Reggie.

[Nuggets4]

Yes and no. I mean, the back to back ass kickings they gave us are cause for concern, but we're a new team with Ruben and Reggie.

I don't care. I think the Clippers are DRAMATICALLY underrated. Depending on whom they draw in the first round, they could easily strike a serious upset to Denver, Phoenix, San Antonio or Dallas.

[ignitionnight]

I hate to break it to the Butt Nuggets, the Jazz are going to win tonight. Sorry guys, you just have nobody that can match up to AK47. Kirilenko will contain Carmelo Anthony, and Okur will stretch Camby on the perimeter making his interior D almost worthless. Deron Williams is playing better than ANY rookie right now, and is finally showing why he was chosen ahead of Chris Paul.

The Jazz are fighting for the last playoff spot, and they will get it.

[Paladin]

In your dreams.

[eddie mac]

I think this is how it'll finish;

Denver 48-34
Memphis 48-34
LA Clippers 47-35

We get homefield on the tiebreaker.

[Clockwork Orange]

I hate to break it to the Butt Nuggets, the Jazz are going to win tonight. Sorry guys, you just have nobody that can match up to AK47. Kirilenko will contain Carmelo Anthony, and Okur will stretch Camby on the perimeter making his interior D almost worthless. Deron Williams is playing better than ANY rookie right now, and is finally showing why he was chosen ahead of Chris Paul.

The Jazz are fighting for the last playoff spot, and they will get it.

LOL

Use your illusion Jizz fan. You've obviously forgotten the 30 point beatdown the Nuggets put on you the last time you guys oozed into Pepsi Center. Expect something similar.

But hey, if you're gonna dream, dream big. Especially when talking about Deron Williams in comparison to Chris Paul. There is no comparison, the Jizz f'd up and passed on a franchise point guard for a decent one. Oh well, you'll get another shot when you're back in the lottery this year. :laugh:

[halfcreek]

http://www.nba.com/media/nuggets/MagicNumber_Banner_6.jpg

Nuggets can inch closer to Northwest Division title vs. Jazz

Utah (33-37) at Denver (40-31) 10:00 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- With their sixth consecutive home victory, the Denver Nuggets can widen the gap in the race for the Northwest Division crown.

Denver looks to win for the 10th time in 13 contests Wednesday when they host the Utah Jazz in their third meeting of the season.

The Nuggets lead the Jazz by 6 1/2 games in the division race, which would give them their first division title in 18 years and the third seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and Andre Miller added 24 for Denver, which had a three-game losing streak stopped with Saturday's 107-96 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Despite having lost three of their past five outings to lose ground to Denver, the Jazz are 1 1/2 games in back of Sacramento for eighth place in the West after overtaking slumping New Orleans.

Carlos Boozer scored 21 points, Deron Williams had 20 and Utah limited the Hornets to 12 fourth-quarter points in Monday's 104-80 victory.

Utah suffered its worst loss to Denver in their first meeting this season, a 113-83 defeat January 20. However, the Jazz bounced back for a 103-90 triumph over the Nuggets on February 1.
Nice to end a losing streak by losing.;D

[FantomForce]

Ahhh...a I love being a colorado native living in Utah and listening to all the reasons why the Jazz are any good anymore. It is seriously sad though being the only real professional organization that they have here because everyone is so affected when the lose, did I say sad??? I ment hilariousHilarious!

[Bronco X]

The Nuggets swept the Grizzlies last season, including two games in Memphis. They did get hammered there this year but they always have a stinker of a game once in a while, especially on defense. And the Grizz haven't beat the Nuggets in Denver forever, even when the Nuggets were consistently lousy. I'd be pretty comfortable with the Nuggets matching up with the Grizzlies, even without home court, though home court obviously would be a huge plus.

The Grizzlies have an easier schedule than the Clippers though, so I think the Nuggets will wind up playing the Clippers. Then home court is everything.

[ignitionnight]

LOL

Use your illusion Jizz fan. You've obviously forgotten the 30 point beatdown the Nuggets put on you the last time you guys oozed into Pepsi Center. Expect something similar.

But hey, if you're gonna dream, dream big. Especially when talking about Deron Williams in comparison to Chris Paul. There is no comparison, the Jizz f'd up and passed on a franchise point guard for a decent one. Oh well, you'll get another shot when you're back in the lottery this year. :laugh: I didn't mean he was better than Chris Paul, because as of right now he isn't. However, he is just now getting the playing time he deserves and is getting a lot better. He is shooting almost 50 percent in the past month compared to Paul's 40. His assist numbers are up too.

I take back my statement about him deserving to be picked ahead of Paul, but in their matchups Deron has come out ahead 2 out of the 3 games. He is starting to show he deserves to be in the same conversation as Paul though. He has been absolutely great the past two or three weeks.

Oh and that 30 point beatdown was a mirage, don't think it will be that easy again.

mecklenburg77 where are you from?

[azbroncfan]

I put a 20 on the Jazz tonight, I only get to see a handful of their games anymore unless they play the suns. I'll bet just so I have a reason to watch the game otherwise I struggle to watch NBA.

[yavoon]

uh oh, zone.

[Clockwork Orange]

Uh oh, Nuggets decided they don't feel like playing hard tonight. Not much effort on either end.

Camby must have a hangnail, which automatically puts him in street clothes and Kenyon gave them a whopping 7 minutes, none in the 2nd quarter. Jesus Christ, those two are a couple of ****ing fairies.

The Utah bench has outscored Denver's bench 18-2. They'd better find some heart at halftime or they're gonna get beat by 30 tonight.

[yavoon]

Uh oh, Nuggets decided they don't feel like playing hard tonight. Not much effort on either end.

Camby must have a hangnail, which automatically puts him in street clothes and Kenyon gave them a whopping 7 minutes, none in the 2nd quarter. Jesus Christ, those two are a couple of ****ing fairies.

The Utah bench has outscored Denver's bench 18-2. They'd better find some heart at halftime or they're gonna get beat by 30 tonight.

or some execution. that evil zone can make u look dunce!

[Clockwork Orange]

or some execution. that evil zone can make u look dunce!

It would help if they would actually attack the zone instead of playing lazy and just shooting jumpers all night......something they are absolutely terrible at. They've seen this zone just about every game this season, they know what they have to do against it, but that would require them to work. Instead they'd rather dribble around the perimeter and then chuck up a jumper when the shot clock gets down.

It all comes down to effort and the Nuggets aren't giving much tonight.

[yavoon]

It would help if they would actually attack the zone instead of playing lazy and just shooting jumpers all night......something they are absolutely terrible at. They've seen this zone just about every game this season, they know what they have to do against it, but that would require them to work. Instead they'd rather dribble around the perimeter and then chuck up a jumper when the shot clock gets down.

It all comes down to effort and the Nuggets aren't giving much tonight.

easier said than done. people play zone for a reason, to force jumpers if ur not forcing a jumper in a zone u can just as easily castrate the defense.

also i think ur completely out of wack on this effort. I've seen a nugget hit the floor atleast 4 times and i've seen a bunch of other effort lunges. sometimes u dont get an opportunity to exploit ur oomph. a team playing zone against u is one of those times, so is the jazz making u look silly with passing.

[ludo21]

8') Jazz are still fighting to make the playoffs, ill take them in a close one.


im right on

[Clockwork Orange]

easier said than done. people play zone for a reason, to force jumpers if ur not forcing a jumper in a zone u can just as easily castrate the defense.

also i think ur completely out of wack on this effort. I've seen a nugget hit the floor atleast 4 times and i've seen a bunch of other effort lunges. sometimes u dont get an opportunity to exploit ur oomph. a team playing zone against u is one of those times, so is the jazz making u look silly with passing.

Guys hitting the floor automatically equals effort? Right. ::) Most of that is Reggie Evans, the Nuggets most notorious flopper.

Effort would be running through the screens and effectively switching when you can't. Effort would be cutting to the basket. Effort would be boxing out. Effort would be getting a hand up in the shooters face. Effort would be taking the ball to the basket instead of standing around and shooting jumpers.

There's a reason that Utah has shot 14 free throws in this quarter and the Nuggets have shot 1......and it isn't poor officiating.

[spdirty]

Cut it to 8 with a quarter left!

[yavoon]

Guys hitting the floor automatically equals effort? Right. ::) Most of that is Reggie Evans, the Nuggets most notorious flopper.

Effort would be running through the screens and effectively switching when you can't. Effort would be cutting to the basket. Effort would be boxing out. Effort would be getting a hand up in the shooters face. Effort would be taking the ball to the basket instead of standing around and shooting jumpers.

There's a reason that Utah has shot 14 free throws in this quarter and the Nuggets have shot 1......and it isn't poor officiating.

its not effort either, its positioning, awareness. lets face it the nuggets are the #1 fast break team in the nba and they aren't getting it tonight. anytime this is going to happen the nuggets are going to look a lot worse. if everytime they get bogged down in half court by a hugely half court team like the jazz and out played ur gna call effort I think thats missing the mark.

[Clockwork Orange]

That last second layup was further proof of why the officiating in the NBA is screwed up. Andre Miller took three steps right in front of an official and he swallowed his whistle. It isn't just these referees, there seems to be a league mandate against calling travelling unless a guy puts the ball under his arm and takes off down the court like he's Terrell Davis.

[yavoon]

That last second layup was further proof of why the officiating in the NBA is screwed up. Andre Miller took three steps right in front of an official and he swallowed his whistle. It isn't just these referees, there seems to be a league mandate against calling travelling unless a guy puts the ball under his arm and takes off down the court like he's Terrell Davis.

I hate the palming more. iverson and shaq have spearheaded more rules violations than the globetrotters.

[Clockwork Orange]

its not effort either, its positioning, awareness. lets face it the nuggets are the #1 fast break team in the nba and they aren't getting it tonight. anytime this is going to happen the nuggets are going to look a lot worse. if everytime they get bogged down in half court by a hugely half court team like the jazz and out played ur gna call effort I think thats missing the mark.

Actually, that is effort. When you play soft and lazy on both ends of the floor, this is what happens.

The Nuggets running game is their best weapon, but that all starts on the defensive end. Utah is setting a ton of screens, the Nuggets aren't fighting through them or switching. Utah is getting a lot of open jumpers and easy looks because of it. They're simply getting outworked.

On top of that, the Nuggets bench tonight has been awful.

[Clockwork Orange]

Now Dermarr Johnson and Greg Buckner are chucking up 3's left and right. :cuss:

[yavoon]

Actually, that is effort. When you play soft and lazy on both ends of the floor, this is what happens.

The Nuggets running game is their best weapon, but that all starts on the defensive end. Utah is setting a ton of screens, the Nuggets aren't fighting through them or switching. Utah is getting a lot of open jumpers and easy looks because of it. They're simply getting outworked.

On top of that, the Nuggets bench tonight has been awful.

I telling u its not effort, its position. the jazz are simply better at moving off the ball and passing than the nuggets are at covering it. no amt of "omg I really want to stop them" is going to help that. brain has to be there before body.

[yavoon]

Now Dermarr Johnson and Greg Buckner are chucking up 3's left and right. :cuss:

isnt buckner the only 3 pt shooter the nuggets have?

[Clockwork Orange]

Right there. The Nuggets dropped back into a zone and Utah attacked it. The result was a layup because Utah didn't stand around on the perimeter pounding the ball.

[Clockwork Orange]

isnt buckner the only 3 pt shooter the nuggets have?

He's about the closest thing to a three point shooter that they've got.....and that's sad.

[yavoon]

the nba hates the defense. I wish these punkass bitches atleast had the balls to change the rules. no instead they just rig it so the refs swallow their whistles. oh god I hate it.

[yavoon]

Right there. The Nuggets dropped back into a zone and Utah attacked it. The result was a layup because Utah didn't stand around on the perimeter pounding the ball.

the jazz in general have very good passing even among their bigger guys and even in traffic. but I mean jsut in general, the jazz are very half court oriented...

[Clockwork Orange]

Carmelo fighting for the rebound and Kenyon Martin standing there like a statue while Boozer gets the ball and lays it in. Nice hustle Mr. Max Contract.

[yavoon]

Carmelo fighting for the rebound and Kenyon Martin standing there like a statue while Boozer gets the ball and lays it in. Nice hustle Mr. Max Contract.

I do like the Kenyon hating, I didnt like him in new jersey either.

[spdirty]

I do like the kenyon hating, I didnt like him in new jersey either.


Edit your post. Its Kenyon.

[yavoon]

another rule that doesn't matter in the nba, lane violation. completely irrelevant.

I wonder if there is good international basketball u can watch on tv.

[Clockwork Orange]

Instead of going for the loose ball, Kenyon throws Williams to the floor. Two free throws made because our highest paid player couldn't be bothered to hustle.

[Clockwork Orange]

Carmelo fouls out fighting for the ball on a horrible pass by Andre Miller.

Can't blame Carmelo for this one. 31 points on 14/25 shooting.

[RhymesayersDU]

Not good. Especially since Memphis dropped their game tonight.

[Clockwork Orange]

The Nuggets gave up 115 points to a team that averages 91 per game.

Congrats to the Jizz, they played like they wanted to win this game tonight. The well rested Nuggets got a 7 point 1st quarter lead and decided that their work for the evening was done.

Try not to stub your toe on the way out of the arena Marcus.

[ignitionnight]

In your dreams.
LOL
Use your illusion Jizz fan. You've obviously forgotten the 30 point beatdown the Nuggets put on you the last time you guys oozed into Pepsi Center. Expect something similar.
L O L

I guess I was wrong on Kirilenko shutting down 'Melo, but he helped limit everybody else. Man those 7/8 blocks were something to see.

[yavoon]

Interesting to note former Knicks' coach Jeff Van Gundy's technique
during the NBA playoffs a couple of years back. He often had his
players play extremely rough towards the beginning of the game,
sensitizing the officials to a very rough nature of play. As the game
progressed, he basically manipulated the officials by toning down the
physicality a bunch of notches (but still was physical enough that in
a normal game, the officials would call the violations). Therefore, in
the later stages when the game was on the line, the refs would not
call as much and the Knicks could get away with a lot. Actually this
strategy was very psychological in nature, presenting an excess
stimulus to sensitize the subject and then toning down the stimulus so
it is barely detected.

the nba is so gay.

[azbroncfan]

The Jazz Jizzed all over the nuggets and i cashed in on that one. Sorry nugget fans but I don't see nuggets doing much in playoffs, I think PHX, Dal or SA would crush them.

[ludo21]

The Jazz Jizzed all over the nuggets and i cashed in on that one. Sorry nugget fans but I don't see nuggets doing much in playoffs, I think PHX, Dal or SA would crush them.


too bad about Amare tho, but i think the suns are still a contenter w/out him :thumbsup:

[wolf754life]

Three Words: OVERPAID LAZY THUGS

[eddie mac]

It's sad to say it but IMO this Nugget team has Carmelo Anthony and that's it. Andre Miller average, Marcus Camby average, Kenyon Martin bum, the rest are also rans. The power people in Denver fvcked this franchises' future when they blew their load on that pile of **** from the Nets.

[azbroncfan]

too bad about Amare tho, but i think the suns are still a contenter w/out him :thumbsup:

I'm a jazz fan but I do watch the suns by default and they play a watchable style, The injury Amare had is very serious and they shouldn't play him till next year, isn't that the same thing TD had that caused him to retire?

[azbroncfan]

Three Words: OVERPAID LAZY THUGS
Couldn't of said it better, That's why I like Jerry Sloan he doesn't let these fools get away with their sh!t otherwise he will fistfight them or ship them out.

[ignitionnight]

Couldn't of said it better, That's why I like Jerry Sloan he doesn't let these fools get away with their sh!t otherwise he will fistfight them or ship them out.
Haha, exactly. I have a sneaking suspicion that Sloan beat up Greg Ostertag after one of their tiffs.

[Orange4Life]

The Jazz have had plenty of "overpaid lazy" nights. While Sloan does his best to stop that kind of play its happened over and over again this year. The Jazz are so up and down if anyone predicts a win or loss correctly they are extremely lucky. They can play lights out or look like the worst team in the league. Nobody can figure it out.

[azbroncfan]

The Jazz have had plenty of "overpaid lazy" nights. While Sloan does his best to stop that kind of play its happened over and over again this year. The Jazz are so up and down if anyone predicts a win or loss correctly they are extremely lucky. They can play lights out or look like the worst team in the league. Nobody can figure it out.

Yeah they have that I said overpaid lazy THUGS. Now when you watch the Jazz you realize how good Stockton was. Last nights game for both teams had some of the worst passes I've seen and there were a lot of TO's that the Jazz didn't have in Stockton ERA.