The Lakers trailed for three straight quarters before managing to defeat the Nuggets behind a 40 point performance by Kobe Bryant. The Lakers took Game 1of the Western Conference Finals by a score of 105-103.
Everything appeared to be going the Nuggets way early in the contest. The Nuggets had a 31 to 23 lead by the end of the first quarter. Carmelo Anthony had the hot hand throughout the contest and finished with 39 points. The defensive effort from the team as a whole was evident throughout the contest. A frustrated Kobe Bryant picked up a technical foul in the third quarter, his fifth of the post season.
Turnovers and missed free throws were key in the Nuggets loss. The team went just 23-35 from the line while the Lakers shot 20-24. The Nuggets also did not benefit from the poor shooting night of J.R. Smith who finished with just eight points.
Kobe Bryant took over the game late in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points in the final seven minutes of the contest. Lamar Odom spoke about the play of Bryant in a post game interview. According to the Associated Press he stated, ''He was amazing. He wanted the ball. Kobe is always going to help you or bail you out more than he hurts you.'' Coach Phil Jackson shared these sentiments in his post game interview.
Nuggets coach George Karl was not as satisfied after the two point loss. He lamented that Game 1 was an opportunity that his team had squandered. He was quoted by the Associated Press stating, ''There's no moral victories in playoff basketball.''
Game 2 of the series will take place in Los Angeles on Thursday night.
Showing posts with label Carmelo Anthony. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carmelo Anthony. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Nuggets Take 2-0 Lead
It appeared as though the Dallas Mavericks were going to have an opportunity to even the series at one game apiece last night, but the Nuggets defensive intensity down the stretch was just too much to overcome.
Denver won the game by a score of 117-105 to take a two game lead. Carmelo Anthony was the driving force behind the win as he scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. Despite his play, he was willing pass the praise to the team’s most recent addition Chauncey Billups. In the fourth quarter, Billups dove to save a loose ball that would eventually lead to a layup by J.R. Smith. In a post game interview, Anthony was quoted saying, “That play right there was the biggest play of the game.”
Dirk Norwitzki’s 35 points was not enough to get the Mavs over the hump. As he did after game one, he conceded to the defensive efforts of the Denver Nuggets. He received a lot of heat for his statement that forward Chris Andersen has what it takes to shut him down. Analysts Chris Webber and Charles Barkley felt as though a player of his caliber should never show that much respect to their opponent.
Norwitzki received very little help from his teammates on the offensive end of the floor. Josh Howard was not a factor at all. He was sent to the bench after just six minutes of action with two sprained ankles. Antoine Wright was the only other starter to score in double digits with just ten points and Jason Kidd provided a mere four points to go along with seven assists.
The series will move to Dallas on Saturday where the Mavs are 17-1 since the All-Star break. The Nuggets have been on a tear since the start of the playoffs. They have lost only one game with their margin of victory at 24.8. This includes a 58 point win over the Hornets in round one.
Denver won the game by a score of 117-105 to take a two game lead. Carmelo Anthony was the driving force behind the win as he scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter. Despite his play, he was willing pass the praise to the team’s most recent addition Chauncey Billups. In the fourth quarter, Billups dove to save a loose ball that would eventually lead to a layup by J.R. Smith. In a post game interview, Anthony was quoted saying, “That play right there was the biggest play of the game.”
Dirk Norwitzki’s 35 points was not enough to get the Mavs over the hump. As he did after game one, he conceded to the defensive efforts of the Denver Nuggets. He received a lot of heat for his statement that forward Chris Andersen has what it takes to shut him down. Analysts Chris Webber and Charles Barkley felt as though a player of his caliber should never show that much respect to their opponent.
Norwitzki received very little help from his teammates on the offensive end of the floor. Josh Howard was not a factor at all. He was sent to the bench after just six minutes of action with two sprained ankles. Antoine Wright was the only other starter to score in double digits with just ten points and Jason Kidd provided a mere four points to go along with seven assists.
The series will move to Dallas on Saturday where the Mavs are 17-1 since the All-Star break. The Nuggets have been on a tear since the start of the playoffs. They have lost only one game with their margin of victory at 24.8. This includes a 58 point win over the Hornets in round one.
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