2009 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 2: Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Hornets Game Thread

April 22, 2009
by Jeremy

In a seven game series there are many chances for momentum to turn.  Should the new Orleans Hornets pull out a victory they will have erased the embarrassment of their game one beat down and will be in position to win the series by winning the three remaining games in New Orleans. 

No one seems to give the New Orleans Hornets much of a chance to win tonight, but I do not think the final score of the first game was indicative of how closely matched these two teams are.  I fully expect to see a more aggressive Chris Paul and David West will certainly make more midrange jumpers tonight than he did Sunday.  The Hornets have had a chance to see how the Nuggets want to defend the pick and roll and they can game plan for it.  Paul has had a chance to watch some film and see all of the opportunities he missed to be aggressive.  I did not hear anyone acknowledge that Peja had a solid shooting performance in game one making three of his six three point attempts.

In my opinion the only thing that Hornets fans should really worry about is the health of Tyson Chandler, but he proved in game one he could be effective even though he looked gimpy from time to time.  Their bench is not great, but if Paul, West and Peja all get the job done they do not have to be.

This is a dangerous game and for all the good feelings in the Pepsi Center during game one should the Nuggets let up at all they will find themselves facing a revitalized Hornets team in New Orleans for games three and four.

I do think the Nuggets have turned a corner.  I think they will play much better from the start tonight as the win in game one should allow them to play with confidence.  I also think this team has a hunger to advance that they have not possessed in the past. 

I think game two is going to be a knock ‘em down drag ‘em out dog fight.  Do not expect to see any starters sitting courtside in the fourth quarter tonight.

Featured Blogs:  Hornets 247 | At the Hive

Articles you might have missed:

Time to break the Nuggets 

Nuggets not content after game one win  

Keys to game two

And of course if you missed my post on the adjustments I think both teams should make for game two, make sure you check it out.  You cannot watch the game tonight without it.

Posted on April 22, 2009 at 4:28 pm | filed in Game Preview | 36 Comments

36 Responses to “2009 NBA Playoffs Round 1 Game 2: Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Hornets Game Thread”

  1. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 7:49 pm

    Oh no Violet Palmer!

  2. herewereyouwish says:
    April 22, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    I’m going to have a heart attack watching one of these games…hit your layup’s nuggs! We need Chauncey or Melo to come back in and push it.

  3. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:18 pm

    Halftime Stats
    Pace: 85.9 – very slow
    Defensive Efficiency: 102.4
    Offensive Efficiency: 121.0

  4. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:20 pm

    Why does Rasul Butler have such big games against Denver? It seems like every other game he shoots 7-7 versus the Nuggets.

  5. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:21 pm

    Peja and Butler going at the same time is not good.

  6. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:22 pm

    Someone please tell Nene he is 6′ 10″ and can dunk.

  7. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:26 pm

    Nuggets pick up the defense and it is back up to an 11 point game thanks to Chauncey’s beautiful spin move to leave Paul in the dust.

  8. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:28 pm

    Nene has given up attacking the rim with Chandler around.

  9. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:30 pm

    Chauncey Billups – playing the best basketball of his career?

  10. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    West now 1-12 since his 3-3 start. Missing everything from open layups to open jumpers. His head is broken right now.

  11. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:35 pm

    George Karl is acknowledging Dahntay’s hard work on defense. He is usually out of the game by the five minute mark.

  12. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:37 pm

    Chris Paul just threw a punch. I do not think they saw it though.

  13. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    That was definitely a swing.

  14. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:39 pm

    I wish they would quit setting screens for J.R.

  15. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    New Orleans needs to be able to adjust their offense. Peja and Butler are the two hot hands, yet they keep force feeding West who is 6-17.

  16. Lethalturnip says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:42 pm

    Not much participation here…

  17. Lethalturnip says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:43 pm

    True I don’t think Peja took a shot after his 3 of 3 from 3pt at the beginning of the quarter.

  18. runningdonut says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:44 pm

    Dahntay Jones is stepping up. I don’t like how we slacked off at times. Now we have a chance to close this out solid and get a win. COME ON NUGGETS

  19. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:46 pm

    I love the way Melo is passing out of the double team. That is the aspect of his game that was non existent in playoffs past.

  20. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:47 pm

    J.R. with a classic what are you doing…yes! three pointer.

  21. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    I love me some J.R. Smith.

  22. herewereyouwish says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:49 pm

    These two games have been so fun to watch. Everybody playing their role, and some. JR just sank another while typing, wow. No more words, this is awesome.

  23. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:52 pm

    When will we run out of ideas for new cop shows? Oh, I know, ten years ago, but they keep trying don’t they. (That may not make sense to someone watching on Altitude, TNT just ran an add for Dark Blue…a new cop show.)

  24. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:54 pm

    When did J.R. add that little Kenyon Martin push shot? He has made one in both games so far. If he can master that look out NBA.

  25. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    I just started laughing when I saw Chauncey by himself in the corner. How does that happen?

  26. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    West has quietly started hitting shots again.

  27. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:56 pm

    Nuggets are getting a little sloppy with six minutes still left.

  28. Kay says:
    April 22, 2009 at 9:57 pm

    Nice coming home to a score like this….this game is looking pretty good….Thank the Lord

  29. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 10:02 pm

    Come on Nuggets, play hard for one or two more minutes and you can take a rest.

  30. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 10:03 pm

    I think Chauncey likes playing postseason games in Denver.

  31. runningdonut says:
    April 22, 2009 at 10:05 pm

    Jeremy, is Byron Scott sending a message by leaving his stars in? Seems risky

  32. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 10:06 pm

    I do not know that he is sending a message, I think he caught a little heat from taking them out so early in game one and he wants to make sure that he plays this one out.

  33. jeremy says:
    April 22, 2009 at 10:07 pm

    Does Johan Perto get to letter since he is appearing in a playoff game?

  34. Kay says:
    April 22, 2009 at 10:24 pm

    Lets all take a moment, hold hands, and thank the man upstairs for Chauncey.

  35. sleepydog says:
    April 22, 2009 at 10:49 pm

    obviously chauncey loves playing here at home in the playoffs. hes totally taking advantage of that and its amazing to watch.

    amen

  36. Drew says:
    April 23, 2009 at 12:11 am

    Hey Jeremy,

    Just wanted to thank you for your thoughtful write-ups, film room insights, and level-headed analysis which always show humility and respect for both our players and our opponents. It’s very refreshing.

    I haven’t been this excited about the Nuggies since 1994 when I had season tickets with my pops, and made it to all the home playoff games vs Seattle and Utah. And before that, well, it would have to have been the Calvin Natt/Fat Lever basketball camp.

    GO NUGGETS.


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