| 24 December 2009
(Denver-CO) The Nuggets finally did it. They won a game over the Hawks without their usual starting five, 124-104, with Chauncey Billups still resting a sore groin. J.R. Smith poured in a season-high 41 points and by doing so became the only player since the merger to score 40+ points in three games coming off the bench. Now at 20-9 overall, the Nuggets need to deliver one more present on Christmas day against the injury plagued Trailblazers and down the streaking Mavericks on Sunday to close out 2009 in second place in the Western Conference.
The shooting of J.R. Smith was tremendous, but first and foremost I want to point out that the Nuggets did not win this game because Smith had such a great night offensively. Rather, Denver won this game because they finally buttoned down the defensive glass. Maybe it was my pleas (doubtful) or George Karl's practices (probable), but the Nuggets did a fantastic job rebounding the basketball in the first half of Wednesday night's game allowing the Hawks just one offensive rebound. It was a board meeting by committee at the break with six Nuggets with three or more rebounds each led by Nene's six and Kenyon's five rebounds, respectively.
And go figure that when the Nuggets rebound they score on the fast break. Denver had 13 points in transition in the first half and with J.R. Smith hitting 5-7 three-point attempts and scoring 21 points in his first 15 minutes off the bench it was no surprise the Nuggets were up, 63-51, at the break on the Hawks who had played in Minnesota the night before.
Another fantastic surprise was Anthony Carter's distribution of the basketball in the first half. AC was no Christmas Grinch with the gifts as he dealt out six first half assists without a single turnover. Now if only Santa would bring him a pair of white shoes to wear with his home uniform we'd really be in good shape!
In the second half, the Nuggets continued to dominate the game with rebounding in what I'm considering the best effort they've had in said category so far this year. It should be noted that when Denver limits their opponent to one shot and out on the offensive end they play their best basketball, hands down. The Nuggets surrendered just six offensive boards last night to an Atlanta team that averages the 6th highest offensive rebounding clip in the league while winning the overall war on the glass 45-40. Kudos.
And with a special shooting performance by J.R. Smith carrying over to the second half this game quickly became a blowout. Smith connected on another five three-pointers in the second half falling just one make short of his personal best and two short of tying the NBA record of twelve made three's in one game.
But... and with J.R. there always seems to be one, I do have a bone to pick, in the name of sportsmanship and professionalism, with the last three, three's J.R. put on rim with the Nuggets up by twenty some odd points and just minutes remaining in regulation. Remember, J.R. is 10-12 from long range and is already up to 41 points despite missing seven free-throw attempts when he decides to take two 30-footers and a 28-foot three to try bloat his already huge night offensively. That right there is how fights break out in the NBA. It happened in New York a few years back, although in different circumstances, but nevertheless those three attempts were a lack in judgement on J.R.'s behalf. Am I saying he shouldn't keep shooting if the shots are there? Of course not, there's a shot clock and the ball game has to be played out, but to be chucking up attempts from a few strides in from half court with the shot clock still reading more than 15 seconds on it could be interpreted as attempting to show-up another group of professionals for one's own personal gain and could result in retaliation. And it's a good thing George Karl took him out of the game with less than two minutes remaining because there is no doubt in my mind that the heaves were not going to cease for as long as J.R. was left to make his own decisions on the court.
That aside, it was a great performance by J.R. and the rest of the Nuggets. Carmelo Anthony finished with 24 points, seven assists, and six rebounds and Ty Lawson's 16 points, six rebounds, and five assists in just his second start as a professional. were a breath of fresh air for a rookie who has been going through some growing pains. Anthony Carter led the Nuggets with seven assists and Nene and Kenyon Martin each posted a team-high eight rebounds.The Nuggets also improved to 16-0 on the year when leading after the third quarter and when you look at the Atlanta Hawks Schedule and the teams they have beat is a quality win for this Denver team.
Go Nuggets!
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