| 15 December 2009
(Denver-CO) Worst. Uniforms. Ever. The Oklahoma City Thunder may want to think about wearing their defunk Seattle Supersonics jerseys they next time they play the Nuggets due to OKC still not being able to find away to beat Denver since becoming the Thunder two seasons ago. The Thunder, whose jerseys that look like pajamas, lost to the Nuggets, 102-93, in a game that finally showcased Denver playing defense for the majority of 48 minutes.
The Nuggets overcame a dreadful shooting start in the first quarter mainly due to playing solid defense. Denver shot 33% from the field in the first quarter, but were held together by Carmelo Anthony scoring the team's first nine points and 13 of the first 16 points scored by the Nuggets. Defensively, after giving up a few bunnies, Denver did a a fantastic job limiting OKC to one shot and out limiting the Thunder to just two offensive rebounds.
The defense really picked up late in the first quarter and throughout the second quarter with the insertion of the Birdman and, believe it or not, J.R. Smith. The Bird was a lockdown defender in the first half recording three steals, a block, eight rebounds, and ten big points. J.R., while not having the same statistical impact as Andersen, played some of the best defense I've seen him play this season on Russell Westbrook - especially getting over the top on the pick and roll. The results were astounding. After OKC shot 45% from the field in the first quarter they were limited to 6 of 22 in the second quarter ,or if you prefer shot 27%, as the Nuggets built a 15-point lead, 55-40, at the break.
The second half was the sleeper Denver needed it to be. Denver mechanically and methodically took the Thunder out of the game with their relentless defensive energy, which is what good teams do on their home floor. And, once again, it was Chris Andersen who led the charge. The Birdman finished with 15 points, eleven rebounds, three blocks, and three steals while only committing three personal fouls in 32 big minutes off the bench. He changed every aspect of the game defensively for the Nuggets by lurking around the basket and making the Thunder shoot jump shot after jump shot while the rest of the Nuggets helped him clear the boards. Kenyon Martin finished with eleven rebounds, Nene nine, and Carmelo five.
And after playing tremendous defense in the first half, J.R. finally emerged offensively after a horrid shooting night against the Phoenix Suns just two nights before. Smith scored another nine points in the second half after ten in the first to compliment three rebounds and two steals. His key match-up of the night, Russell Westbrook, finished 14 points and four turnovers.
What I really like about this win is how Denver never fell into a lull on either end of the floor (first quarter's cold shooting aside). The energy defensively was there all game long, the Nuggets made the extra pass offensively, and in combination with their seven total blocks and 20 forced turnovers put together the full package. And hell, if it hadn't been for the Thunder putting the Nuggets on the free-throw line for 40 attempts I'm sure Denver would have had upwards of 30 assists rather than the 20 the box score will tell you.
Overall, good win.
Go Nuggets!
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