Season Opener: Denver @ Dallas

[eathb_au]

@

Mon, Dec 26
8:30 PM ET
6:30 PM MST
TV: ALT, FSSW


BENCH: Andre Miller, Rudy Fernandez, Corey Brewer, Al Harrington, Chris Andersen

vs.


BENCH: Lamar Odom, Jason Terry, Rodrigue Beaubois

KEY MATCHUP:


INJURY REPORT:
Denver - None
Dallas - None

[KAVK]

It should be a tough match up for DAL before they face us on b2b but they have a depth.

Good luck & GO NUGGETS! Excited to see our season opener.

[corona]

wiretap: "Karl: Nene Needs To Improve Defensively"

talk about misleading....you're better than that, realgm. there's nowhere in that article where karl talks in any specifics about nene needing to improve defensively. he simply mentions how his role will change to the primary (A) post defender because of the loss of kmart.

[TunaFish]

I wonder if Dallas will be as good without Chandler? Maybe the Nuggets will match up well in this game.

[eathb_au]

Chandler's impact on the Mavs defense is extremely overrated. They'll still be a strong defensive team. Will be a tough game.

[youngthegiant]

Key points that will lead to a win

* Ty Lawson needs to penetrate the Dallas defense. Ty Lawson has humungous speed advantage over Jason Kidd. Lawson is key in this game.

* RUN..... Catching Dallas on a back to back will leave them a little winded. Denver needs to make sure they run the floor and tire out the aging Mavericks.

* Gallinari needs to have a good game, he needs to stretch the floor and get to the free throw line.

* Nene needs to contain Dirk. Nene cannot stop him but he needs to try to contain him in someway. Dirk will get buckets but we need to make sure the misses are rebounded.

* Bench needs to produce and bring out energy.

[eslr]

It will be interesting to see the adjustments the Mavs make to guard Ty. Kidd doesn't have a prayer in keeping up with him, so I wouldn't be surprised if they put Matrix on Ty, Kidd on Afflalo, and Carter on Gallo. The alternative would be to start Beabois/JET and put one of them on Lawson.

Defensively I hope we get to see Brewer trying to slow down JET. Slowing down the other teams 6th man is going to be his role this season, so lets see how he does.

[Ice32]

Whilst Dallas just got spanked by Miami, they will certainly come out more focused vs Denver. Dallas look old but they have smart players and a deep bench. Miami had 31 fast break points, so Denver need to take full advantage of our youth and depth.

Denver have 2 deep at every position and can run, so that's our advantage. If Denver can rebound, contest shots and get fast break buckets, the Nuggets can win this.

[ShaqDiesel]

Faried wont get any minutes?

[corona]

we probably all hope he will. but it's not a democracy. not sure what karl will do.

[eslr]

Faried wont get any minutes?

Barring a blow out, I'd be shocked. To start the season he has Al Harrington, Kosta Koufos, and Chris Andersen all ahead of him at the backup 4/5. I expect that to change by midseason, but that's where it looks like it stands now.

[KAVK]

It's like talking to dead horse when it comes to Karl on rookies but thank god Faried is the Karl's preferred type of player.

Run Run Run.......

[dis4ryan]

It's like talking to dead horse when it comes to Karl on rookies

You beat the horse.

[youngthegiant]

excited for this game to start. hope gallo and lawson have extremely good games.

[youngthegiant]

sloppy start

[vergogna]

w-o-w

[DrewBynum77]

hehe the haters at the GB are in disbelief right now.

[eathb_au]

Andre Miller is such a great fit for this team.

[KAVK]

Oh yeah!

Ty is ripping them apart. Our D is pretty good tonight.

Gallo gave up that basket to Al for his hustle on D. Karl might be bit cautious to put in any rookies in this game but we might see them get some playing time if this lead is kept within a good range.

[DrewBynum77]

This team looks great... no more black holes like k-mart, jr and felton. Chandler will be missed tho.

Denver now is full of efficient players. Looks promising.

Oh and they stole a block from nene