Houston @ Denver GameThread, Nov 30, 2008 6:00 PM MST

2008-09 Game 18: Denver Nuggets vs Houston Rockets Game Thread

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 2:30 PM MST in Events Comment 80 comments

Houston @ Denver

This is a big game for the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets have faced several of the top teams in the NBA over the first month of the season. They have faced off with Utah, Boston, Cleveland, the Lakers twice, New Orleans and now the Houston Rockets. Heading into tonight’s game Denver is only 1-5 against the elite teams in the NBA. Things may not be that bad though as they lost two of those games before Chauncey Billups came back to Denver. A loss to the Rockets tonight would put another notch in the loss column against the best of the NBA and make it more difficult to make a case that the Nuggets have a shot at earning home court advantage in the playoffs.

The Rockets are coming off a blow out win against the now healthy San Antonio Spurs in Houston last night. They are playing without Tracy McGrady, but the addition of Ron Artest has helped make up for his absence. McGrady has missed the last two games and Artest has lead the team in shot attempts both of those two games.

The downside of Artest’s presence is it has somewhat marginalized Yao Ming. Yao is posting numbers comparable to his third season in the league, which was 2004-05. Compared to his career year of 2006-07, when he averaged over 25 points a game, he is playing a tad more, but is getting almost five fewer shot attempts a game. Yao is one of the handful of players around the league who the Nuggets have a very difficult time containing. The more the Rockets marginalize him the better it is for the Nuggets.

When the Nuggets have the ball it will be interesting to see how the Rockets defend Melo. They have two defenders who are capable of frustrating Melo one on one in Artest and Shane Battier. If they choose to defend Carmelo one on one, Melo must win his matchup. That does not mean scoring 30 points, but that means beating Artest or Battier off the dribble forcing the Rockets to help and open up the floor for his teammates.

Defensively the Rockets have been very good traditionally at forcing you to play defense for 15 or 20 seconds of every possession. They become more of a one on one team with Artest, but they will still dump the ball into Yao, force a double team and see how well your defense rotates.

One player the Nuggets will have to be ready for coming off the bench is Aaron Brooks. He will remind Nuggets fans of Earl Boykins thanks to his shoot first mentality and diminutive size. He is listed as a 6’ 0” point guard, which is probably a couple of inches off of his actual height, but he so far on the season he has captured more rebounds than assists.

The Nuggets have won two straight against the Rockets at the Pepsi Center, but in the past Houston has had little trouble winning in Denver. The Nuggets are going to have to play defense for more than a quarter or quarter and a half in order to win because the Rockets will defend for four quarters and they play at a very slow pace. Earlier in the season the Nuggets were winning games like that, let’s hope they can do it again tonight.

Game Notes

The Dream Shake

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Comments

Shane Battier and Ron Artest harrasing the hell out of our offensive perimeter

Good times.

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 4:55 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Rooting for our bigs to have big nights

Nene early and KMart late! (And more importantly, solid defense throughout!)

by macdren on Nov 30, 2008 5:38 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Yeah! Wait, that was supposed to be my comment

That’s what I get for using my friend’s computer. Anyway, GO NUGGETS!

by jakester on Nov 30, 2008 5:41 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't believe how stacked the top 7 teams in the west are

The Northwest is totally brutal. Portland just took Detroit to school

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 6:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

BUGGER

My stream is like 30 seconds delayed

hate that

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 6:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

LK!

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 6:31 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

always nice to see a JR 3

Threeeeeeee!

And so far, Nene with 11 points and 4 boards – keep it up!!

by jakester on Nov 30, 2008 6:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Nene in Yao's face

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 6:56 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

ARRGH

Houston’s long range game is killing us

Yao is collapsing our perimeter D

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Balkman

Why’s he been sitting so much lately? I love his energy plays, even when he was a Knick.

Anyway, I will take a four-point halftime lead with our two stars combining for 6 points!

by jakester on Nov 30, 2008 7:09 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Halftime Stats

Pace Factor – 86.1

Defensive Efficiency – 102.3

Offensive Efficiency – 111.5

This game is on pace to have the lowest pace factor of the season.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:22 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

No Melo for the second half

Not good.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:22 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

oh my god

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Elbow contusion

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

come on jr

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Nene should never pass up an open 12 footer

for a 20 footer from Dahntay Jones.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

D jones!!

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

The second half has been completely difference from the first

If this keeps up with will be a taco day tomorrow.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:27 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I think that “with” was supposed to be “it,” but I am not sure. That was just a poorly conceived sentence.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:28 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I followed it

It’s funny that the promotion started when our defensive minded gameplan kicked in this season

taco bell accountants must be hoops fans

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

psst.. d jones. hit these foul shots

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

HOW WAS THAT FOUL ON NENE??

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:31 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Chauncey seems intent on picking up the offensive slack

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:32 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

He should keep doing that

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

YEAH CHAUNCE!

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:33 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The more Artest shoots the better it is for the Nuggets

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

What Happened? (posting from Georgia)

I have been away from my Nuggets for the past two games and I really really hoped that I would be able to watch this one somehow. They went from up 8 on the gamecast I was watching to going up 14. head explodes

Chauncey hit some threes or what?

by BeefySwats on Nov 30, 2008 7:35 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

pretty much

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:36 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Chauncey has been red hot this quarter

But now they are getting too perimeter oriented.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:37 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

oh shit. that's 4 on nene

he needs to come off

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:37 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Cmon Denver

This is a big big game.

by BeefySwats on Nov 30, 2008 7:38 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

so true

it would be so great if we don’t undertake one of our patented lead blowages

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 7:39 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Artest is playing like Karl Malone circa 1985

Just throwin’ beef around in the paint.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:45 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Carmelo who?

Chauncey had 14 points and 4 assists in the quarter (according to Altitude)

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:47 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Nice answer by Kleiza to Artest's three

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:53 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I get so sick and tired of the Nuggets helping

and then leaving the man with the ball wide open to shoot.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 7:59 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:00 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Carter

Anthony carter is single handedley letting the Rockets back into the game. Fouled 3 point shot, gambled for steal, bad pass/to in total 8 points conceded

by WhaHuh on Nov 30, 2008 8:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

It was six points

dude missed the first of his 3 attempts at the line and the other 2 turnovers resulted in 4 more points scored by H. I was screaming hell to AC. He did redeem himself witha nice layup from a CB assist.

by markph on Dec 1, 2008 12:02 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

The Rockets are playing small

Lets’ get LK out of there. He is a liability on the perimeter.

Pickaxe and Roll - An SB Nation Denver Nuggets Blog

by Jeremy on Nov 30, 2008 8:03 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Thank you chauncey

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Anybody know why the Nuggets refuse to guard three pointers?

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:10 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

simple. they hate me

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:12 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

lol...that's funny.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:12 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

surely we can't let this one slip through

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:12 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Did JR bounce that off that dude's head?

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:14 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Nene is a warrior. don't put up with any BS big guy

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:15 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

should be able to put this away now.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:17 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

you'd friggin hope so

overall we did a decent job containing yao. im pleased

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:18 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Is this game on TV?

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Nov 30, 2008 8:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

im watchin it online

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Any links

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Nov 30, 2008 8:20 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

http://www.justin.tv/atdhe2

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:20 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Nov 30, 2008 8:21 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha "JR with the tacos"

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:19 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

I tuned in late...

what’s the story with Melo?

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:22 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

shoulder contusion

out from halftime

return uncertain :(

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:23 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

WTF is Kenyon shooting 3

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Nov 30, 2008 8:22 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

What a win!

Great job Nugs!

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:23 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Tacos for all!

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Nov 30, 2008 8:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

lol

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:25 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Sucks about Melo

Did it look bad? Is he gonna be okay? (

by BeefySwats on Nov 30, 2008 8:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

seriously...

that’s not good.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:26 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

no word yet about the actual prognosis

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Man, I bet Dumars wishes he hadn't made that trade, thanks Detroit.

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Nov 30, 2008 8:25 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

trade

yeah I hate to think like that cause I genuinely love AI. But man it was a great trade for us.

Guess for DET it was all about long term financial options

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:27 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

You have to think, but I doubt LaBron will go there over New York

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Nov 30, 2008 8:28 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

lebron in detroit. wierd

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:29 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

No way...

he’s going to NY.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:30 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I vote he'll stay

by joshhopp on Nov 30, 2008 8:32 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I wondered what happened to Von Wafer

"Me fail english, that unpossible" - Ralph Wiggum

by Broncoman on Nov 30, 2008 8:28 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Well...good day all around.

Broncos win.
Nuggets win.
SD loses.

GO BRONCOS!!!

by UnarmingMermaid on Nov 30, 2008 8:30 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Wow, great job Nuggets!

Didn’t watch the game, but stat-wise, pretty impressive. Yes, the Rockets shot 10-20 from 3-point land, but only 21-56 (38%) from inside the line! Add to that 14 blocks (5 by Birdman) and Nene/Martin matching Yao/Artest stat-for-stat… plus our best player only playing 14 minutes. Sweet.

In all a VERY solid month for the Nuggets. First place, wins over Boston and Houston, and most important to me, NO bad losses (well, not since The Trade at least). If JR can just keep having more “good” nights and we stay relatively healthy (knock on wood), I like where this team can go.

But boy, Portland scares me.

by jakester on Nov 30, 2008 8:37 PM MST reply actions 0 recs