(Denver-CO) Face it, Nuggets Nation. This team is in a slump. Losers of five out of their last seven games, the Nuggets now face a true turning point in the season. Tonight’s, 100-95, loss to the Pistons puts Denver in a very precarious position with the next two games against division rivals, Portland and Utah, because the Blazers are just a game behind the Nuggets for first place and the Jazz just a half game back from Portland. Meaning, if Denver doesn’t pull it together quick they may find themselves in third place in the Northwest Division while falling from the fourth overall playoff seeding all the way down to seventh by Friday.
Back to the Pistons…
The Detroit fans gave Chauncey Billups a very heartfelt welcome back to the Palace in his first appearance in Motown since being traded early in the season. It was an ovation that Chauncey said, “Made me feel very appreciated for my years in Detroit”, and he didn’t wait long to start putting on a show for his old fans.
Chauncey scored 13 of Denver’s 26 points in the first quarter on a variety of old favorites for patrons of the Palace. Chauncey connected on a three, numerous long jumpers with Rodney Stuckey’s hand in his face, and was perfect from the free-throw line.
The game was tied at 26 after the first twelve minutes of play before the Denver defense made an appearance and afforded the Nuggets a ten point lead entering halftime. The Nuggets clamped down on Detroit only allowing 18 points to the Pistons in the second quarter while limiting the Pistons to 38% shooting in the half. Most of the halftime lead was accumulated in a three minute stretch where Denver held the Pistons scoreless on six straight possessions. Chauncey’s offensive brilliance continued through the second quarter as Mr. Big Shot finished the half with a game-high 21 points and four assists.
In all honesty, this game felt a lot like the first time these two teams met. Denver played solid defense in the first half, but I could feel a let down was lurking.
And without Carmelo Anthony, who was suspended for tonight’s game due to refusing to come out of the Pacer game in the third quarter, the Nuggets ran short on offensive options in the second half.
The Pistons started to play their patented team basketball in the third quarter and when the shots stopped falling for the Nuggets Detroit was there to capitalize. Denver went scoreless on six straight possessions spanning over three and a half minutes in the third quarter which included 0-4 from the free-throw line and a missed lay-up by Linas Kleiza. This poorly timed collapse gave Detroit the opportunity to trim the Nuggets’ lead down to one after a Rodney Stuckey lay-up brought the game to, 69-68. Detroit would eventually take the lead on two free-throws by Stuckey, 74-72, with under a minute to play in the third quarter before Chauncey knotted things at 74 on two free-throws entering the fourth. Detroit outscored Denver 30-20 overall in the period led by a well-balanced attack that left the Pistons rejuvenated on the defensive end and primed to keep Denver from breaking a 14-year-old losing streak in the Motor City.
It was the rejuvenated defense of the Pistons that I feel ultimately led to the demise of the Nuggets. Denver, without Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups putting on a one man show, ran out of options offensively against a Detroit squad that once they had identified the Nuggets’ most vulnerable weakness exploited Denver’s one dimensional offensive game plan and did what was necessary to win. J.R. Smith tried valiantly to bring the Nuggets to victory by scoring 14 of his 16 points in the final period, but scoring just 41 points in the second half left Denver ultimately on the short end of yet another loss to the Pistons.
Chauncey Billups scored a game and season-high 34 points on 11-19 shooting, but after the Pistons put Rip Hamilton on him defensively in the second half Chauncey was held in check after a 21-point first half. Nene finished with a quiet 20 points and seven rebounds, while J.R. added the aforementioned 16. Kenyon Martin did not look like his usual self. His back appears to be bothering him and on one play it actually looked like it tightened up on him when he went to dunk a nice drop pass on an out of bounds play before losing the ball trying to throw it down. Additionally, the Nuggets only recorded 18 assists on 37 made field goals.
The balanced attack by the Pistons included all five starters scoring 16 or more points led by Tayshaun Prince’s 23. Antonio McDyess and Rasheed Wallace each recorded double-doubles with twelve and ten rebounds, respectively.
Will the Nuggets still be tops in the Northwest Division by the weekend? Will Denver still be in position for home court advantage come playoff time after its next two games? These are questions that will be answered on Thursday and Friday night against the Blazers and Jazz.
In the meantime, Denver needs answers to this recent slump and getting Carmelo back is a good place to start.
... written by MakesAMillion Graves,
March 04, 2009
GK and his every 12-second rotation is the cause of this loss.
I guess GK is the father of the team and if you don't listen to him, no matter how stupid his whim, you get suspended. I can't believe the Nuggets organization will pay Carmelo 80+million dollars yet not trust his judgement on when it is best to leave a game.
GK can't say he did this for the team because of what he did, the team dropped a position in the West. If we end up playing the Lakers in the first round of the play-offs I guarantee the FireGeorgeKarl.com site will be resurrected.
P.S. GK was rude to the bartender at the 6th Man Jam.
+0
... written by CB Jack,
March 04, 2009
Wow. Why don't you guys just hand us the Division on a silver platter?
+0
... written by NuggDoctor,
March 04, 2009
That's the way it's looking...The Nuggets are falling apart at the stitching!
+0
... written by MakesAMillion Graves,
March 04, 2009
It's hard to believe it but even Utah might have a better coach than Denver.
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I guess GK is the father of the team and if you don't listen to him, no matter how stupid his whim, you get suspended. I can't believe the Nuggets organization will pay Carmelo 80+million dollars yet not trust his judgement on when it is best to leave a game.
GK can't say he did this for the team because of what he did, the team dropped a position in the West. If we end up playing the Lakers in the first round of the play-offs I guarantee the FireGeorgeKarl.com site will be resurrected.
P.S. GK was rude to the bartender at the 6th Man Jam.