This is about as close a game as you will get… the Dodgers just got the breaks. But the Rockies need win only one game this series, and with Ubaldo Jimenez pitching Sunday we can feel good about the odds. This series probably hinges on Jhoulys Chacin vs. Charlie Haeger tomorrow. I’ll be watching and so should you. Jhoulys is a high-potential young starter for these Rockies.
The Nuggets could have won this game (and this series) with consistent effort. When they played hard at both ends they were clearly the beater team. But Utah simply out worked them. Melo was the only one who played hard all the way through (et to Billups?) and he missed time with foul trouble again.
This series really could go either way but I’m leaning toward San Jose around 66%. I think the Avalanche win this series 1 in 3 times. Finding a way to get the offense and the defense going at the same time seems to be the largest obstacle for Colorado right now.
The cost of this whole thing is that now the Nuggets must win in Utah. It’s among the toughest places to play in the league. It’s tiny and steep and loud. It feels like the crowd is right on top of you. Literally, I think they sell seats in harnesses that hang from the roof of the arena. I think the Nuggets will still win the series though. The injuries for the Jazz are a little too much, and it’s doubtful they can consistently produce the best half in their franchise history every game to win by 3.
This was just what the doctor ordered for the Nuggets’ hopes to win the Northwest Division. Three starters played less than 29:00 minutes (Nene, Billups, Martin), so everyone should have plenty of energy to run with the Suns tomorrow. A win Tuesday night in Phoenix clenches the 3 seed.
To celebrate the return of our national pastime, I gave myself a little treat this year. I flew out to Milwaukee for Opening Day 2010 to watch the Rockies open up (in my opinion) their most promising season ever.
There are some players who are elites and some player who are merely good. The difference between them is when the season comes to its end, the good player maintain while the elites raise their game. I’ve yet to see Anderson raise his game.
This entire game was still on the line even with the Nuggets down by 8 in the fourth. And then 1 moment’s lack of focus by J.R. Smith and Jason Kidd steps in with a steal and Dallas takes an 8-point lead to 16 in 2 minutes. One play in the middle of the fourth quarter and a possible win becomes a 20ish point loss. That’s how close this was.
Bad game all the way around for the Nuggets and now the Mavericks have the 2-spot. This is the type of game that can only have one of two long-term consequences…
The Avalanche gave Anaheim 3 extra PP’s and the Ducks put in 3 PP goals that turned out to be the difference in the game.
