(Denver-CO) The Denver Nuggets finished their three-game unblemished after outpacing the Pacers, 122-114, and blazing the Trailblazers, 118-106. Both games were must wins with the Dallas Mavericks continuing to fruit wins in succession. Currently, the Mavericks are a full game ahead of Nuggets in the Western Conference standings with the same number of losses while posting two more wins. The loss against Denver was the fifth straight on the Indiana Pacers Schedule. In the Pacer game, the Nuggets led the whole way after early in the first quarter largely in part to J.R. Smith scoring ten of the Nuggets last twelve points in the period. It was critical for Smith to come off the bench and give the Nuggets that kind of lift because Denver is still shorthanded with the injuries to Ty Lawson (shoulder) and Kenyon Martin (tendonitis). Smith finished with 20 points and career-high eight assists in 32 minutes of action. J.R. has noticeably cut down on the turnovers (averaging 1.4 miscues over his last five games) while following up the career night dishing the rock with seven assists against the Trailblazers. But more on that later. J.R.’s big first quarter paved the way for Denver to take a ten-point lead into the second quarter and the Nuggets held on to that lead to enter halftime up, 64-56. Indiana, losers of their last five straight, did put a scare in the Nuggets in the third quarter when Josh McRoberts gave Chris Andersen, who had a game-high three blocks, a taste of his own medicine when he dunked on the Bird to trim the Nuggets’ lead down to six, 82-76, with four minutes remaining. However, sensing Indiana was getting too close to comfort, Carmelo Anthony took over the remaining third quarter offensively scoring seven of his game-high 34 points as the Nuggets outscored the Pacers 15-6 to close out the quarter. And as we know… Denver is nearly unbeatable in the fourth quarter, not to mention at home, when they lead after three quarters of play. Carmelo Anthony regained his scoring touch against the Pacers by finishing with 34 points on an economical 12-20 from the field while snagging six rebounds and handing out four assists. Chris Andersen and Nene each scored 13 points while the Bird nabbed his third double-double of the season with ten rebounds. “Big Brazil” finished with six boards against Indiana and has not reached double figure rebounds since the Nuggets lost to the Lakers on 2/28. As for the Pacers, the Nuggets have now beaten Indiana in both their meetings this season marking their fourth time doing so in the last six years.
So, if the Indiana win was nice the W against the Portland Trailblazers was so much nicer. For starters, Portland is a divisional foe. Additionally, they are trying to become the fourth team out of the Northwest division to make this year’s playoff landscape with the Jazz currently in the fourth seed and the Thunder not far behind in the six slot. And in my opinion, the Portland Trailblazers have been the most overrated team in the Western Conference for quite some time (or since they miraculously landed Greg Oden two years ago).
I digress, but it was enjoyable to watch the Nuggets prove they are, indeed, the cream of divisional crop. Denver was all over the Blazers from the second the ball was put into play shooting 70% from the field in the first quarter while handing out nine combined assists on their twelve made field goals. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: The Nuggets play their finest basketball when they share the wealth offensively. And with that being said, it wasn’t any surprise that Denver was leading by 13, 34-21, after one quarter of play.
The Nuggets extended their lead at the half to 17 points while continuing to shoot a blistering 67% from the field. The trio of Carmelo Anthony (19), J.R. Smith (12), and Chauncey Billups (12) combined to score 43 of Denver’s 66 points at the break while Arron Afflalo’s three, three’s and the Birdman’s three blocks were nice side notes. And in a statistical anomaly, the Nuggets failed to grab an offensive rebound in the first half while allowing the Blazers nine offensive boards. The goose egg is something we can look over because, quite frankly, the Nuggets weren’t missing many shots, but the breakdowns on the defensive glass for Denver are an area of concern. Especially when u consider that Johan Petro, in rare playing time let alone an even rarer start for the still ailing Kenyon Martin, was the leading glass cleaner for the Nuggets with five rebounds.
Where’s Nene? Where was the Bird?
In the second half, and just like in the previous game against the Pacers, the Nuggets let their foot off the gas a touch. Instead of completely blowing the Trailblazers out, Denver allowed Portland to get within eight with three minutes remaining in the third quarter after an 11-6 run was started by Andre Miller’s dunk and Martell Webster added a three and a free-throw. But, just like in the Pacer game, the Nuggets reacted favorably when the opposition got within striking range. J.R. Smith found Nene for an and-1 and Nene reciprocated Smith with a nice dish for an easy dunk. Those five points were enough for Denver to keep Portland on the outside looking in and the Nuggets took a 14-point lead into the money quarter where they are almost unbeatable when ahead on the scoreboard.
J.R. Smith followed up his career-high night in assists against the Pacers by following up with seven dimes against the Blazers. He also scored 22 points coming off the bench while making up some of the scoring load vacated by the still injured Ty Lawson and Kenyon Martin.
And speaking of scoring loads… Carmelo is piling up the points again! His 30 points against Portland marked the third consecutive game he has popped off for 30+ points. Chauncey Billups added 21 points, five assists, and four rebounds. Johan Petro finished with a team-high ten rebounds while also showcasing a tender jump shot on his way to six points. Chris Andersen three shots and for the third straight game has blocked at least three shots since not recording a rejection in the previous two Nugget losses.
Up next for the Nuggets is a four-game road trip that starts up in Minnesota before heading down south to take on the New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Houston Rockets.
Go Nuggets! 
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