GT: (44-19) Los Angeles Clippers visit (40-22) Denver Nuggets 3/7 on TNT

[qrich]

http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w34/RareNBALogos/LosAngelesC.png @ http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w34/RareNBALogos/Denver.png
Los Angeles Clipper(44-19) @ Denver Nuggets(40-22)

WHEN: Thursday, March 7th at 10:30 EST/7:30 PST
WHERE: Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado
TV: TNT
Clippers Last Game: 117-101 Victory vs Milwaukee
Nuggets Last Game: 120-113 Victory @ Sacramento
Season Series: 1-1 Tie
Clippers Win 112-100 (http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400278129)
Nuggets Win 92-79 (http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?id=400278182)

http://i48.tinypic.com/34dooys.png

Q's Quote:
"Denver has been one of the hottest teams in the NBA in the past few months after having a road heavy schedule to start the year. They are also the team that ended the Clippers 17 game win streak. Nuggs have only 3 losses at Pepsi Arena and that was to the Heat, Wolves and Wizards. Clippers are also 3.5 up on Denver right now and it could cut to 2.5 with a loss and no tie-breaker. They are also 1.5 behind OKC without the tie breaker, so implications on seeds can be huge after the night. Still, I see the Clippers riding the momentum after the win vs the Bucks with one of the best alley-oops in NBA History." http://hardwoodparoxysm.com/Gifs/jaycrawgriffincray_1.gif


Q's Prediction: 94-83 victory
Q's Prediction Record: 9-4

[qrich]

While the Denver Nuggets' home winning streak already is quite impressive, the quality of competition they've faced during the run makes it even more noteworthy.
It likely won't be easy adding the surging Los Angeles Clippers to that list.
Denver seeks a 12th straight home win Thursday night against a Los Angeles team that has won five straight road games.
The Nuggets (40-22), who are 26-3 at the Pepsi Center, have been solid no matter where they've played lately, winning six straight and 16 of their last 20 overall after beating Sacramento 120-113 on the road Tuesday.
Ty Lawson is averaging 23.8 points over his last 11 games after scoring 24, and Danilo Gallinari added 23 for Denver, which ranks third in the NBA at 105.7 points per game.
"Early in the season we lost some leads on the road in the fourth quarter, and we lost some tough games lately,'' said coach George Karl, whose team is averaging 112.0 points during its six-game streak. "But we're a young team and young teams will do that. We are maturing and finding our identity a little better.''
The Nuggets' home winning streak began with an overtime victory against Oklahoma City on Jan. 20, and they also knocked off the Thunder 105-103 on Friday.
Denver, which hasn't won 12 straight at home since March 16-April 19, 2005, also has wins over Indiana, Houston, Milwaukee, Chicago, Boston and Atlanta during the streak - all clubs currently in playoff position.
It's getting solid efforts lately from multiple players, as Kenneth Faried finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds and Andre Miller added 16 points off the bench Tuesday.
"You never know who's going to grab the steering wheel and who's going to drive us home,'' Karl told the team's official website.
Lawson sat out with a strained left Achilles when the Clippers visited the Pepsi Center on Jan. 1, but Gallinari scored 17 points and Faried added 14 and 11 rebounds as the Nuggets won 92-78.
Another home victory over Los Angeles, which shot only 38.5 percent overall in that contest while going 5 of 29 from 3-point range and 13 of 29 from the free-throw line, may not come as easily this time.
The Pacific Division-leading Clippers (44-19) have won nine of their last 11 after Wednesday's 117-101 victory over Milwaukee, as Blake Griffin recorded his third career triple-double with 23 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists.
Jamal Crawford, who scored a game-high 22 points in the Clippers' 112-100 win over Denver on Christmas Day, netted a game-high 25 points off the bench Wednesday and is averaging 23.0 while shooting 59.3 percent over his last four.
He lauded Griffin's all-around effort.
"He's doing everything,'' Crawford said of Griffin, who has averaged just 12.3 points in his last three games against Denver. "He demands a lot of attention down (low), so he's getting double-teamed and kicking out to our shooters. He's making the right play all of the time.''
While Griffin has struggled somewhat in this series, Karl isn't expecting anything but brilliance from Chris Paul, who is averaging 20.0 points and 10.0 assists in his last four contests.
"I think he's one of the guys that I think almost wills wins," Karl said. "Not only is he very talented and very skilled, but he has an approach and attitude to the game that beating him is offensive to him."
The Clippers have won six of the last eight meetings with the Nuggets

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/clippers-nuggets-preview-073152692--nba.html

Yahoo Preview bump to keep on page one.

[Fiasco]

Great GDT. We need to put some distance between us and them. Won't be easy though, much respect to what Denver's been able to accomplish this season.

[colorz]

Playing in Denver is always a b*tch. Also makes it tougher that it's a back to back.

[qrich]

Playing in Denver is always a b*tch. Also makes it tougher that it's a back to back.

It is, but at least our starters didn't play that much. 33 minutes for Blake was the most with Paul playing 32.

Key is going to come down to controlling the boards. We were +3 in the win but -6 in our loss. Also gave up 6 more offensive rebounds in the loss. Blake needs to box Faried out and Jordan needs to grow cajones against Koufos & McGee.

[b0bab0i]

hopefully we can squeeze out a win tonight

[NuggetsFan]

Faried with the huge block on CP3 :bowdown:

[InspiredLebowski]

Denver's offense is so refreshing to watch

[imnew09]

For some reason, i think Qrich is cp86, if so, I miss you man!

[Scoooter]

Damn, didn't know Koufos could do that.

[kingBynum]

dj n griff have no d, no effort bums

[NuggetsFan]

Kosta trying to get some revenge for Mozzy :lol

[b0bab0i]

Damns that was gonna be a sick dunk by Odom, but a sick ass block by McGEE

[b0bab0i]

lol flop by brewer

[imnew09]

This game is far better than OKC vs Knicks, but somehow hardly anyones commenting.

[b0bab0i]

Clipps take their first lead!

[NuggetsFan]

Matt Barnes :oldlol:

[BlackVVaves]

I wonder, do Laker fans feel any anger watching Barnes have one of his best seasons this year, only months after having one of the worst playoff performances (and season outside of rebounding) of any player in recent memory? Didn't be shoot under 25% from the field in the post-season or something?

Word is, the change in his output is correlated to him getting back with his girl in the summer, who was supposedly ****ing people in the industry, and ridiculing Barnes about it after.

[NuggetsFan]

Word is, the change in his output is correlated to him getting back with his girl in the summer, who was supposedly ****ing people in the industry, and ridiculing Barnes about it after.

No wonder dude is such a punk. Has to act like a tough guy on the basketball court where nobody fights because he's too much of a bitch to do anything about people banging his girlfriend :oldlol:

[b0bab0i]

Clippers Bench VS Nuggets bench is awesome.

[KG215]

I think we have a winner for poster of the night.

[IGotACoolStory]

Damn Chandler.

[HardwoodLegend]

"That may be the dunk of the year!!" - Andre Iguodala

[NuggetsFan]

I think we have a winner for poster of the night.

I want to see a replay of the Kosta on Griffin dunk. Looked nasty.

[Droid101]

I wonder, do Laker fans feel any anger watching Barnes have one of his best seasons this year,
Not really. I was upset we didn't re sign him. If not for Clark's miraculous emergence, we'd be the ultimate suck at bench 3-4, which is what he brought to the table.

[Blingster]

I want to see a replay of the Kosta on Griffin dunk. Looked nasty.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2287157/kostapower.gif

[Droid101]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2287157/kostapower.gif
Nice dunk but he didn't "dunk on Griffin." Griffin was behind him; he never knew he was there until the ball was through the hoop.

[NuggetsFan]

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2287157/kostapower.gif

Not as nice as I was thinking. BG kinda got there late, but Kosta put that down with some power.

[Droid101]

Nice dunk but he didn't "dunk on Griffin." Griffin was behind him; he never knew he was there until the ball was through the hoop.
Also, whoever it was that hopped off the bench was hilarious. :oldlol:

[Blingster]

Nice dunk but he didn't "dunk on Griffin." Griffin was behind him; he never knew he was there until the ball was through the hoop.

You pointed out Blake was late, but didn't mention McGee celebrating? :D :D

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2287173/javaledunkreaction.gif

[NuggetsFan]

Look at McGee, he was going crazy :oldlol:

[Thechosen1]

why does everyone have homer simpson avis?

[Ramiah]

why does everyone have homer simpson avis?http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287614

[Droid101]

You pointed out Blake was late, but didn't mention McGee celebrating? :D :D

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2287173/javaledunkreaction.gif
Hey two posts later I was on top of it! :D

[b0bab0i]

You pointed out Blake was late, but didn't mention McGee celebrating? :D :D

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2287173/javaledunkreaction.gif
:roll: :roll: :roll:

[imnew09]

Sometimes I can't understand what Shaq's saying...

[Blingster]

Sometimes I can't understand what Shaq's saying...

He mumbles too damn much.. sounds like he's talking under his breath. C'mon big man, speak up!

[jstern]

Booger.

[SyRyanYang]

Sometimes I can't understand what Shaq's saying...
Sometimes I can actually understand what Shaq's saying

[Blingster]

Booger.

you must be talking about Blake.. I could see that thing move when he was breathing..lol

[imnew09]

I never get why Iguadola shooting 3s

[imnew09]

I never get why Iguadola shooting 3s


Jinxed it :oldlol:

[KG215]

JaVale just made one of those passes you accidentally make on 2K13 where you're wanting to throw a lead pass but to someone around halfcour; but instead your player sails the ball down the entire court and it's 50/50 on whether it will sail out of bounds or if your player actually comes down with it. Luckily for him he was throwing it up to an athletic freak.

[BlackVVaves]

JaVale just made one of those passes you accidentally make on 2K13 where you're wanting to throw a lead pass but to someone around halfcour; but instead your player sails the ball down the entire court and it's 50/50 on whether it will sail out of bounds or if your player actually comes down with it. Luckily for him he was throwing it up to an athletic freak.

:roll:

Hilarious and on point analogy.

[NuggetsFan]

Nuggets offense is so explosive. When they start playing defense they can get the runs going too, just need to learn how to consistently D up.

[IGotACoolStory]

I actually think the Clips are getting hosed on some of these calls. A lot of contact on the body.

They're still whiny little bitches, that team.

[SyRyanYang]

LET BLAKE POST UP.
Paul you dumbass, run the offense like a pro.

[Jailblazers7]

I really hate that zone D is legal in the NBA.

[KG215]

Why in the hell is this game thread so dead?

[NuggetsFan]

Nuggets need to hold on here. Start March off 4-0 and continue '13 killing it.

[NuggetsFan]

Why in the hell is this game thread so dead?

No ClippersFan :oldlol: .. I wonder if he's lurking this thread right now.

[kNicKz]

this nuggets team plays ball the way it should be played

[KG215]

Iggy is such a sick defender.

[BlackVVaves]

Times like these, I wish I could read a CF86 tirade :lol

[bdreason]

Lawson is a stud. Probably the most overlooked PG in the NBA.



I've said it before, but this Denver team is scary. Their weakness, not have a go-to guy, also seems to be their strength.

[BlackVVaves]

I actually think the Clips are getting hosed on some of these calls. A lot of contact on the body.

They're still whiny little bitches, that team.

That they are. That they are.

[IGotACoolStory]

I'm really intrigued with how far Denver will go. This isn't your typical no star team.

[TyLawson3]

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :rockon: :rockon:

[bdreason]

I really hate that zone D is legal in the NBA.


Meh, with defensive 3 seconds the NBA zone isn't all that effective. Too many good shooters, too many good slashers at the NBA level.

[NuggetsFan]

Lawson is a stud. Probably the most overlooked PG in the NBA.



I've said it before, but this Denver team is scary. Their weakness, not have a go-to guy, also seems to be their strength.

Lawson has been killing it lately. One of the best players let alone PG's in the month of Feb.

Guy's are really stepping up late in games this season. I don't know the numbers but in crunch time Denver's actually been pretty good. They use to struggle there, without that "closer". They don't have a superstar but this year Gallo and Lawson have gave them that guy that can hit huge shots down the stretch. If that continues, they don't need a go to guy.

[KG215]

Kosta Koufos has turned into a really nice player, but dammit he's ugly as sin.

[KG215]

Times like these, I wish I could read a CF86 tirade :lol
Right now he'd be blaming the refs, calling multiple Denver players bitches, pricks, douches, or something else of that ilk, and making up excuse after excuse.

[kNicKz]

smashing these floppers

:applause:

Thank you Denver

[fsvr54]

That altitude plus their running game = tough to beat at home.

[KG215]

21 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, 0 turnovers, 9/15 FG for Lawson. He's quietly turned into a stud PG.

[KG215]

That altitude plus their running game = impossible to beat at home.
Fixed. And the two teams besides the Heat to solve this nearly unsolvable puzzle? The Wizards and Timberwolves...which makes less than zero sense.

[andremiller07]

Kosta Koufos has turned into a really nice player, but dammit he's ugly as sin.
Dude knows how to piss off other big man on both ends. On D he just lays em out with hard fouls and physical D and on O he just moves really well without the ball.

Imo the Nuggets team has really started to look good once Ill Will got back into form from that injury he gives them another dynamic attacker.

Great game from Ty, Gallo, Faried & pretty much everyone got to love how the team plays.

[ihoopallday]

I'm really intrigued with how far Denver will go. This isn't your typical no star team.

I said earlier this season, don't be surprised if Denver makes it to the finals.

[NuggetsFan]

21 points, 11 assists, 6 rebounds, 0 turnovers, 9/15 FG for Lawson. He's quietly turned into a stud PG.

Just said he's the only PG in the league to have 11 or more assists with no turnovers 4x this season. Averaged 23/8 last month. 18/6 the month before. He was pretty bad at the start of the season and lost his confidence but ever since finding it again he's looked even better than he did in the 2nd half of last year/playoffs that got him his big deal.

He's looked like a player I never thought he could become lately. Doubt he stays at this level consistently but he's become quite the player.

[TyLawson3]

Fixed. And the two teams besides the Heat to solve this nearly unsolvable puzzle? The Wizards and Timberwolves...which makes less than zero sense.
Playing down to their competition that they did earlier. In other games they did that for the first half and usually pull away in the 2nd half, but they couldn't close out those final minutes in those games.

But IIRC didn't the Wizards also beat the Heat at their home too? There's something...MAGICAL...about them.

[fsvr54]

Lawson and Teague are both very underrated.

[qrich]

Disappointing but the altitude on a back to back really hurt the Clippers. Need to blow out the Pistons and have wins against Memphis and New York.


Of course, no Crawford was vital as well.

[Reverend Hoops]

Disappointing but the altitude on a back to back really hurt the Clippers. Need to blow out the Pistons and have wins against Memphis and New York.


Of course, no Crawford was vital as well.

Crawford is definitely the MVP of the Clippers.

[KG215]

Disappointing but the altitude on a back to back really hurt the Clippers. Need to blow out the Pistons and have wins against Memphis and New York.


Of course, no Crawford was vital as well.
Both the Clippers and the Thunder are in the midst of a trying stretch of games that may end up ultimately deciding who finishes 2nd and who finishes 3rd. The Thunder got it started with the win over the Clippers on Sunday, and have followed it up with 2 more wins over the Lakers and Knicks. Both teams next game should be wins (OKC at Charlotte and the Clippers get the Pistons) but OKC has the Celtics on Sunday in OKC, then the Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back on Monday in San Antonio. And, as you pointed out, the Clippers next two games after the Pistons are the Grizzlies and Knicks.

There's a pretty decent chance that, over the next 4-5 days, OKC either all but sows up the 2-seed and puts the 1-seed in their sights, or the Clippers close the gap again and make it a tight race for the 2-seed.

ETA: Nevermind, just realized the Clippers play the Pistons on Sunday, get three days off and play the Grizziles on Wednesday, get 4 more days off and play the Knicks Sunday. OKC will play 3 more games between Monday and the next Sunday. Not complaining or anything because after next Sunday, both OKC and the Clippers will be at 67 games play. I just didn't realize the Clippers games against the Pistons, Knicks, and Grizzlies were so spread out.

[qrich]

Crawford is definitely the MVP of the Clippers.

Not really. He's just our third best player and, most of the time, is played as the second option. I mean, Barnes taking 20 shots is atrocious and a recipe for disaster.


Both the Clippers and the Thunder are in the midst of a trying stretch of games that may end up ultimately deciding who finishes 2nd and who finishes 3rd. The Thunder got it started with the win over the Clippers on Sunday, and have followed it up with 2 more wins over the Lakers and Knicks. Both teams next game should be wins (OKC at Charlotte and the Clippers get the Pistons) but OKC has the Celtics on Sunday in OKC, then the Spurs on the second night of a back-to-back on Monday in San Antonio. And, as you pointed out, the Clippers next two games after the Pistons are the Grizzlies and Knicks.

There's a pretty decent chance that, over the next 4-5 days, OKC either all but sows up the 2-seed and puts the 1-seed in their sights, or the Clippers close the gap again and make it a tight race for the 2-seed.

ETA: Nevermind, just realized the Clippers play the Pistons on Sunday, get three days off and play the Grizziles on Wednesday, get 4 more days off and play the Knicks Sunday. OKC will play 3 more games between Monday and the next Sunday. Not complaining or anything because after next Sunday, both OKC and the Clippers will be at 67 games play. I just didn't realize the Clippers games against the Pistons, Knicks, and Grizzlies were so spread out.

I'm confident that the Clips will beat the Knicks, just a bit worried about the Grizz.

The Clippers next five after that, however, should be pretty much cake. @ Sac, vs Phila, vs Brooklyn, @ Dallas, @ New Orleans.

[maybeshewill13]

I miss the ten page arguments that ensued with CF86 about Blake Griffin's defense at the end of every Clippers game..

[Blingster]

http://i.imgur.com/vqkM6hv.gif:bowdown: :bowdown:

[NugzFan]

for those missing CF86's rants, bitchiness, whines, etc - he posts all that crap at the clippers top buzz forum. same ole CF86 but since its all clipper fans, people just accept it there.