Nuggets make Howard and the Magic disappear
They say you don’t want to peak too early, and if the injury bug has to hit, hope it hits early in the season so you can ride into the playoffs healthy. So far, this formula seems to fit for the Nuggets.
This week, the Nuggets had a relatively light week, which is helpful considering the bumps and bruises still plaguing this lineup. As my sister, a devout hockey fan, says, basketball players sure get injured a lot for a sport where you’re not allowed to touch each other. I love the humor, but I also understand that these guys are big, strong, fast, and playing at breakneck speed, which leaves someone bound to get hurt. For the Nuggets, Chauncey is finally coming back from his groin injury, and his presence on the court is a pure necessity for Denver. Melo is finally back, and the others – Nene, Anderson, Lawson – are slowly returning to form.
The week started with a revenge game – was there any doubt the Nuggets would win after the embarrassment of what happened last time they played Minnesota? At one point leading by 18, Chaunceys 10 assists and Melo’s 24 points rounded out a solid effort to put the T-Wolves away. It wasn’t spectacular, but they did what good teams do: beat the teams they’re supposed to beat.
The second game this week came in the form of the defending Eastern Conference Champions. The Magic aren’t the same team, but anytime Dwight Howards steps on the court, they have a chance to win. But not on this night at Pepsi Center. Anchored by a raucous crowd, the Nuggets kept it close for the first half, entering the break down by 3. Then it happened – the floodgates opened, and the Nuggets were like a team possessed. Howard had 13 rebounds, but was held to only 8 points and was largely ineffective. Much like the way they made Shaq a non-factor, the Nuggets played hard and physical, and were able to impose their will, opening up a lead that at one point stretched to 28 points. The final tally was an 18 point victory with the scrubs on the floor to mop up the remains of a disheartened Magic team.
The Nuggets are in a groove right now where they are playing right up to the level of their competition. This is great when they play the elite (San Antonio, Orlando, Cleveland, LA Lakers), but disturbing when the bottom-feeders come to town. The “on and off like a switch” character of this team is frustrating… here’s hoping that when everyone’s healthy, they can find some consistency. If they do, rest assured they will ride into the playoffs as a favorite. They’ll fight with a surging Portland team for the division. Portland is on a run, beating LA and Orlando as well, and giving Cleveland all they could handle, despite a rash of injuries that runs so deep even their coach is on crutches. Look for a hard fought division race… and winning the division will be important, because no one wants to be the Western Conference 4 seed having to play the 5. Top positioning will be crucial, and the Nuggets will need to stay healthy and be consistent to get there.
After a 3-day break, the Nuggets host Utah on Sunday, then back to back games at Golden State then at home with the Clippers. But keep your eye on the upcoming marquee matchup – a Sunday, Jan 31 nationally televised tilt in San Antonio with the confusing Spurs.
