(Denver-CO) The Denver Nuggets have their first test of the season tonight when they travel on the tail end of back-to-back games to face the Portland Trailblazers. Division rivals, these two teams finished with identical overall records last season with the crown going to Denver for their favorable record against divisional foes. Meaning, it may only be game 2 of 82, but for it being this early in the season this game should have a playoff type atmosphere.
The Blazers are 1-0 coming into tonight’s game after beating the Houston Rockets, 96-87, on Tuesday night. Portland was led by Travis Outlaw’s 23 points and Brandon Roy adding 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. However, offensively speaking, it was not a great outing by the Trailblazers. They turned the ball over an alarming 26 times and only attempted 77 shots.
Portland won its first game by playing stingy defense. Twelve blocks, nine steals, forcing 16 turnovers, and dominating the boards 51-33 overall was their key to success and no player set the bar higher than Greg Oden. The third-year Oden, who missed his entire rookie season due to injury, seems to be finally proving that he’s fit for the NBA, at least defensively, with a stat line that reads twelve rebounds and five blocked shots. However, before we remove the “Sam Bowie” tag it should also be mentioned that Oden was guilty of committing a game-high seven turnovers and scored just two points against a Houston Rockets club that I wouldn’t exactly say is strong at the center position.
In tonight’s game, Oden is going to have his hands full with Nene. Nene has absolutely destroyed Oden in the past by exploiting his lack of foot speed. In three games head-to-head last season, Nene got the better of him with an average of 15.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists compared to Oden’s line of 6.7 points and three boards. Oden also fouled out in one of those contests and was plagued by foul trouble in another.
With all that being said, the Trailblazers are a defense first team. They were fourth in the NBA last season in ppg allowed and their philosophy under Nate McMillan hasn’t changed. Portland held the Rockets under 40% field goal shooting while not allowing a Rocket to reach 20 points individually in their first outing
Offensively, all eyes will be on the marquee match-up between Brandon Roy and Carmelo Anthony. Roy did not shoot the ball particularly well against Houston (5-18 fg‘s) , but players of his caliber always seem to find their way into the box score and Brandon’s way of doing so when ball isn’t falling is by getting to the free-throw line. Roy shot a game-high eleven free-throws making ten attempts against the Rockets in the teams first win. As for ‘Melo, his game is just so complete. Outside, inside, getting to the free-throw line, he does it all and with a type of ease that makes you wonder what/if there is a ceiling for his game. It doesn’t really matter who guards him because ‘Melo has too many strengths to play to if a certain defender is taking away certain aspects of his repertoire
Tonight’s game will also give us a chance to see old friends at point guard, Andre Miller and Steve Blake. Miller is coming off the bench for Nate McMillan’s club so far this season in a move that surprised many people after the Blazers acquired him assuming they were upgrading their point guard position, but Blake is still their starter. However, my feeling is this is just a temporary move by McMillan in an attempt to allow Miller to assimilate himself to the team in a more gradual fashion before thrusting him into the starting role. Blake has been with the team now for three seasons and has a comfort level with a majority of this young Portland team that Miller does not. But, make no mistake, Andre Miller is an upgrade from Steve Blake overall in due time.
Another great match-up will be the rejuvenated Kenyon Martin locking horns with LaMarcus Aldridge. Both men are extremely athletic power forwards and this meeting pairs Martin, one of the leagues premier defenders, and Aldridge, one of the leagues premier offensive front court players, in a custom tailored meeting of who’s game gets the better of who.
In closing, I can’t believe this is only game 2 of 82! Both teams are looking to establish themselves as the early frontrunner for divisional supremacy and at the same time send a statement to their closest competition. Be sure to head over to
BustaBucket for the Blazer point of view and as always...
Go Nuggets!
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