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Game 23 Preview: Oklahoma City at Denver

It looks like Nene just woke up to discover that he was dunking a basketball. Huh?

More photos » David Zalubowski - AP

It looks like Nene just woke up to discover that he was dunking a basketball. Huh?

This also counts as an open thread, so feel free to post your thoughts during the game here.

Time: 7:00 PM Central Standard Time 

Place: The Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado

TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma, Altitude Sports

Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1)

Enemy Blog(s): Denver StiffsThe Nugg DoctorRoundball Mining Company

Backstory: After enduring a brutal loss to Cleveland, the Thunder look to bounce back with what would be an extremely major win against the Nuggets. Most would call this game inconsequential, but when you look at the fact that Dallas is coming up and the fact that 3 losses in a row would put us back at .500, the game suddenly has meaning.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets are in the midst of what could become their best season ever. After last year's surprise trip to the finals, it's no surprise. They rely on their extremely proficient scoring and a deep bench to knock out their opponents. And with recent losses against Charlotte and Detroit, there's no way the Nuggets will have the luxury of overlooking the Thunder.

Below: Matchups, Prediction

Star-divide

Matchups:

Center: Nenad Krstic vs. Nene Hilario

Nene has this matchup, hands down. He'll overpower Krstic in the lane, and I don't think Krstic will get many opportunities for jumpers.

Power Forward: Jeff Green vs. Kenyon Martin

Jeff Green faces yet another matchup against a more physical center. Kenyon Martin has lost a lot of his athleticism though, so it's not too far out of the realm of possibility that this could be the matchup where he breaks the trend.

Small Forward: Kevin Durant vs. Carmelo Anthony

Lots of scoring, lots of scoring. Oh my.

Shooting Guard: Thabo Sefolosha vs. Aaron Affalo

Affalo is a 3-Point Specialist, and Thabo Sefolosha closes out well against shooters. Expect him to have the upper hand, especially against a role player like Affalo.

Point Guard: Russell Westbrook vs. Chauncey Billups

Chauncey Billups is one of the best scorers, game managers, and defenders in the NBA. He'll undoubtedly use his Better Basketball powers to dominate Russell Westbrook in every facet of the game, no question.

Battle of the Benches:

The Nuggets bench is deeper, and more talented by far.

Coaching and Intangibles:

The Nuggets are at home, have arguably the better coach, and really need this win in order to keep contending for the second spot in the West. I'd say almost everything is in their favour, especially since the Thunder are on the tail end of a road back to back.

Bottom Line:

This game is going to rest on whether Jeff Green can overcome Kenyon Martin, whether Russell Westbrook can have a decent night against Chauncey Billups, and whether the Nugget bench can be kept at bay. A lot of things have to go right for the Thunder to win, and I just don't see it happening.

Prediction: Nuggets 117, Thunder 98

How do you think the game will go? Vote in the Poll!

And, again, feel free to drop any comments you might have during, before, or after the game below. I might be by during the game to drop my thoughts as well. Go Thunder!

Poll
Who's going to win tonight?
The Oklahoma City Thunder
12 votes
The Denver Nuggets
24 votes

36 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 18 comments  |  Add comment |

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Comments

Display:

Again, apologies things have been so slacktastic around here lately.

But, I’m pretty much clear for the week, so I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to knock out all 3 unfinished recaps by tomorrow.

Tony.psd = Da Man
Manger of Welcome to Loud City
#1 Warriors, Thunder, and Adonal Foyle Fan

by Zorgon on Dec 14, 2009 6:08 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

my prediction?

pain.

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on Dec 14, 2009 7:28 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

For Whom?

Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.

by daddydai on Dec 14, 2009 8:27 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I think

the Thunder come out on top.

That Cavs game was winnable, and closer than the final score. This team can beat anyone.

by ElectricPencils on Dec 14, 2009 7:38 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

Ya'll so negative.

Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.

by daddydai on Dec 14, 2009 8:25 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

What?

My comment was positive!

by ElectricPencils on Dec 14, 2009 8:26 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

True.

I was speaking about the others.

Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.

by daddydai on Dec 14, 2009 8:28 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

sorry

just had a bad feeling after the Cavs game

by rickpidero on Dec 14, 2009 8:42 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I think you gotta look at it more like…Afflalo v Durant, and Melo v Thabo. There is really no reason for either team to have their defensive wing specialist matching up against the opposing role playing wing, when two of the game’s best scorers are playing. I know at least for the Nuggets, they’ll be putting AA on Durant, at least to start.

Either way, I don’t think it’ll really matter. Great offense always beats great defense, and I fully expect big nights from both Melo and Durant.

I think the difference in this game will be the play of the front courts and the benches. The Nuggets definitely have the edge on paper, but anything can happen. Especially lately, JR Smith has been very ineffective, Lawson has had a down couple games, Martin is coming off an injury, and Nene has been quite the non-factor of late.

If the Thunder can get some good production out of Green, and a surprise game from one of their bench guys(such as Watson last year in OKC), it could definitely be a close game with the OKC having a chance to steal one.

Either way, should be an entertaining game. Good luck to you guys…definitely enjoy watching the Thunder play and root for them whenever they’re not playing the Nuggets(although I doubt that’ll last long as you guys continue to improve and start challenging us for the NW division).

Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.

by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Dec 14, 2009 8:11 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

It is sad when a fan for the other team has more faith in our team...

than the regulars do. You guys sound like Clippers fans.

Your friendly neighborhood Loud City resident.

by daddydai on Dec 14, 2009 8:27 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Ummm...
Great offense always beats great defense

I’m gonna have to disagree.

by ElectricPencils on Dec 14, 2009 8:20 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

When you’re talking about individual players, it definitely does. A great defensive player like Shane Battier still can’t do anything against someone like Kobe Bryant. There is no such thing as stopping a great scorer, you can only hope to contain them. And that’s my point.

On the grand scale, defense will win out. But it’s stopping the secondary players where teams usually win games, IMO.

Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.

by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Dec 14, 2009 8:28 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

That's why

it’s a team game. Good defense doesn’t mean stopping the other team’s best player. It means keeping them from scoring more points as a team.

by ElectricPencils on Dec 14, 2009 8:49 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Now you're just losing the context of what I was talking about.

All I was saying was that it would make more sense for each team to match up their best defensive wing against each superstar small forward, rather then leave Durant and Melo to guard each other. But in the end, it really wouldn’t make much of a difference…because the great offense of Melo/Durant is always going to win out over the great defense of guys like Thabo/Afflalo.

That’s it…nothing more, nothing less.

Alanna Rizzo is my dream girl.

by Cargo's Ball Sack5 on Dec 15, 2009 2:02 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Even with those massive qualifications

to your statement, I disagree that offense will beat defense every time.

by ElectricPencils on Dec 15, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I want to introduce...

Nene…Nenad. Nenad….Nene.

by ElectricPencils on Dec 14, 2009 8:50 PM CST reply actions   0 recs


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39 - 24

3.5

Won 3

19

Northwest Standings

W L PCT GB STRK
Denver 43 21 .671 0 Won 4
Utah 42 22 .656 1 Won 4
Oklahoma City 39 24 .619 3.5 Won 3
Portland 38 28 .575 6 Won 1
Minnesota 14 51 .215 29.5 Lost 7

(updated 3.11.2010 at 3:22 PM CST)

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