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Sunday, April 3rd, 2011 - 1:30 PM MST - ABC

BENCH: AAA - RAY - MR SWISH - BIRDMAN - BIG AL - FORBES - TIMO - KOUFUS
INJURIES: AAA (game time decision - hamstring) - BIRDMAN (out - ankle) - BIG AL (game time decision - achilles)


LOS ANGELES LAKERS STARTING FIVE:
DEREK FISHER - KOBE BRYANT - RON ARTEST - PAU GASOL - ANDREW BYNUM
BENCH: LAMAR ODOM - STEVE BLAKE - MATT BARNES - SHANNON BROWN - LUKE WALTON - JOE SMITH - THEO RATLIF
INJURIES:


KEY MATCHUP:
VS.
This should be a great measuring stick for how good the Nuggets are. The injuries may hurt the teams chances although Afflalo is expected to be back in the lineup which will help in guarding Kobe and Bird can hopefully be replaced by the size and length of Timo. The Lakers generally have had no answer for Ty Lawson and adding Felton to the equation just makes it even less likely that they will be able to guard the Nuggets point guard attack. The Nuggets bigs will clearly have their hands full with the Lakers large front court. If Al can play he will be helpful in keeping them away from the defensive boards by spreading the floor. This game should have a playoff atmosphere.

Raymond Felton via espn wrote:We're ready for the playoffs right now. I think mentally and physically we're ready to go.

George Karl via espn wrote:We get to play the next four games with some aggressiveness and pride, we've had a hell of a run. The next four games are playoff games in the regular season against great teams and we'll have to improve and find out how good we are.

UPDATE: Chandler is expected to start in Afflalo's place.

OKC lost again tonight. If the Nuggets can find a way to beat the Lakers, it would move them another half of a game closer to OKC in the standings.

Tomorrow is a must win if we want a shot at passing the Thunder. It would put us 3 games back with 6 games left, 2 of them being against the Thunder. Should be a great stretch of games coming up this week, can't wait.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_17761501
Check out this article on KMart taking over leadership duties. He still doesn't appear to understand the Nuggets not locking him up with the lack of a CBA (as they have done with Nene, JR and AA), but if the money is right, he would like to return next year.

On another note, Chandler against Kobe could be interesting to watch with him in the starting lineup instead of Afflalo. Chandler has great length to guard Kobe at the 2, not sure if speed will kill him or not.

talking about chandler and afflalo, who do you guys prefer to start at the 2 in the long run?

Doomsta wrote:talking about chandler and afflalo, who do you guys prefer to start at the 2 in the long run?

Afflalo, chandler is a 3, Afflalo is a very good 2.

Damn AA tweaked the hammy again?

No Bird, AA and Al is gonna make this one tough...er to win

Powder Blue wrote:Damn AA tweaked the hammy again?

No Bird, AA and Al is gonna make this one tough...er to win

Yeah, he tweaked it again. Afflalo and Harrington are game time decisions, the Birdman is out, which is a shame because he has been playing some good basketball for the Nuggets.

Koz says Afflalo is out

Interesting how ABC analysts compared the Nuggets to the 04' Pistons who didn't have a superstar, but won a title. The most interesting thing they said though was that 9 different players were the leading scorers in various games since the trade.

@ the game...Harrington is warming up

inquisitive wrote:Interesting how ABC analysts compared the Nuggets to the 04' Pistons who didn't have a superstar, but won a title. The most interesting thing they said though was that 9 different players were the leading scorers in various games since the trade.

I'd love to see a team similar to the Pistons again. Having success without that superstar player. But you cant forget that Sheed and Big Ben were already Allstars before 2004. So theres a difference. Not saying that Gallinari doesnt have Allstarpotential

how is that not an offensive foul on fisher, he basically tackles lawson out of his way. i swear someone just needs to clock fisher so he knows whats up.

WTF is Felton doing? Give the rock to the hot hand!

Why is Felton on Kobe? They need a bigger guy on him. Put JR back on him.

Anyway, i think the Nuggets could be the darkhorse team in the West for the playoffs. This team can surprise a few teams. Alot of depth.

A 6-10 forward dribbling right around Kobe and a double team? That was impressive. I'm surprised the announcers are not speaking about Gallos handle on that play.

Nuggets is playing lakers pace... slowing down everything (especially when felton gets the ball).

You can't out-halfcourt the Lakers. NO TEAM IN THE WORLD can beat the lakers in the half-court game except the old Celtics(not sure anymore)...

But I like it...

I think both teams are kinda tired mentally and physically too. Both teams are playing great and under lots of pressure due to the way the played before the ASG and I believe it's reflecting on both teams..

Kobe can't go one play without whining like the little ***** that he is.
I thought Felton played too much and played poorly. Mozgof really held his own out there.

raymond felton, kenyon martin have both been a liabiltity out there. Kenyon should never be shooting a jumpshot ever. and yet he's taken like 3 and has really brought down our offense. raymond has just been playing horrible. mozgov should play center and nene at the power forward. bynum is turning nene into his ****.Nene has missed like 4 easy lay ups that he should be dunking. lets face it nene isnt a center, and it shows when he tries to guard bynum.

jcwkings wrote:raymond felton, kenyon martin have both been a liabiltity out there. Kenyon should never be shooting a jumpshot ever. and yet he's taken like 3 and has really brought down our offense. raymond has just been playing horrible. mozgov should play center and nene at the power forward. bynum is turning nene into his ****.

Indeed, nene usually compensate his height due to his monkey-like wingspan and his lack of weight with his speed...

but Drew have an even bigger wingspan than Nene and he's too effin big for him. He should play PF against teams like the Lakers...

jcwkings wrote:Nene has missed like 4 easy lay ups that he should be dunking. lets face it nene isnt a center, and it shows when he tries to guard bynum.

nene only took 3 shots (1-3) lol and I didn't see him missing any dunks, he just can't back down Drew...

But as I said above, I agree with you that he should play PF.