Game 49: Phoenix Suns (29-21) @ Denver Nuggets (33-15)

[MHZ]

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--------------------February 3, 2010 8:30 MT Pepsi Center--------------------






I'm going with a different strategy. I'm putting Joey Graham into the starting lineup, and hopefully Melo plays because of it.

I'll let somebody else pick the girl.

Hot Chick Game Thread Appearances:
Megan Fox: 5-1 (.833)
Blake Lively: 5-1 (.833)
Adriana Lima 3-1 (.750)
Miranda Kerr 3-1 (.750)
Carrie Underwood 6-3 (.667)
Scarlett Johansson 2-1 (.667)
Shandi Finnessey 2-1 (.667)
Federica Ridolfi 1-2 (.333)
Rihanna 1-2 (.333)

[eathy]

Marko Jaric gets that...

everynight..

[MHZ]

Nice.

Steve Nash has been playing through some injuries for Phoenix. This is a game that would really sting to not get, especially considering the team ends the week @ LA on Friday and @ Utah on Saturday. This becomes that much more important.

Odds Melo sits in this one and returns for the Lakers game?

[GuyJones]

I am really excited for this game. The girlfriend bought me tickets to the game!!

IMO Nash is one of the most entertaining players to watch in the NBA. Just seeing him making huge guys around him look silly is hilarious to me, i still hope its not enough and the Nugz win of course

Would be a bummer if Melo doesn't play but i think the odds are pretty high the he will sit out and rest up for Kobe and the Fakers.

PS **** Jaric

[denvers_finest]

This is the easiest game we have left until after the all-star break, can't afford a slip up. Need to have Melo back, and would be nice to have some else step up (JR and Nene, I'm talking to you).

I'll be there rooting them along too.

[MHZ]

Nuggets coach George Karl was confident today that all-star Carmelo Anthony would play in Wednesday's 8:30 p.m. matchup against Phoenix at Pepsi Center. Anthony has a left ankle sprain that has kept him out the past five games, but the small forward came to Pepsi Center Tuesday for treatment and a court workout. The Nuggets didn't have an official practice.

"If we can continue to play with a rhythm and team-ness and bring him back to the mold quickly, it gives you anther weapon that they have to cover," Karl said. "I don't know if he can play 35-40 minutes. We'll have to evaluate that as the game goes on."

Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups also has a left ankle sprain, but not as sever, and the point guard is probable for the Suns game.

Heading into all-star break, the first-place Nuggets have a doozy of a schedule, playing the Suns, Lakers, Jazz, Mavericks and Spurs.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14318059#ixzz0eQK3kIMc

I'll believe it when I see it.

[KAVK]

Nice.

Steve Nash has been playing through some injuries for Phoenix. This is a game that would really sting to not get, especially considering the team ends the week @ LA on Friday and @ Utah on Saturday. This becomes that much more important.

Odds Melo sits in this one and returns for the Lakers game?

I think Melo will sit this one out. He is itching to meet Kobe & LA

Nash Vs Billups will be good match up! Ty have to be aggressive, Suns guards will have trouble to deal with his speed and strength.

[MHZ]

I hate playing teams like the Suns, Warriors, or Knicks. Shootout and zero defense teams. We get caught up in the shootout nature against those teams, and the games are always close.

[GuyJones]

I hate playing teams like the Suns, Warriors, or Knicks. Shootout and zero defense teams. We get caught up in the shootout nature against those teams, and the games are always close.

This is pretty much always the case. Makes for an entertaining game for a neutral fan, and stressfull for us

The atmosphere should be great!

[MHZ]

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony did not participate in today's morning shootaround and is a game-time decision for tonight's contest against the Suns at the Pepsi Center.

"I'd say when he comes in tonight we'll see how it goes," coach George Karl said.

Instead of attending the walk-through with the rest of the team on the main Pepsi Center court, Anthony worked with trainer Steve Hess on the Nuggets' practice court, and received treatment afterward. He did not speak with assembled media.

Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/ci_14325662#ixzz0eVTZZ6Xk

Doesn't sound likely.

[The Answer_CO]

Chauncey replaces CP3 in the all-star game.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

[MHZ]

All-Star thread!

[The Answer_CO]

Why don't you move it there, I can't delete it.

Or you can delete it and I'll move it in the proper thread.

[devv83]

Am I the only one getting tired of these gametime decisions with Melo its nerve wrecking. Its been 5 gametime decisions. In between every game they say he is gonna play. At some point somebody gotta know what's going on.

[MHZ]

It's just the nature of the injury. It's not like a broken bone, where you can estimate an amount of time the bone will take to heal. Just like Chauncey's groin injury, it just kind of lingers. You hope that "if I get three more days rest, this has to get better", but it's not always the case.

[KAVK]

With recent success that team is having even in games without Melo, certainly not to push him come back too soon.

[eathy]

Melo out again.

Lakers aren't the best team to comeback and get rid of rust against.

[CanNugget]

**** i hate gk and his rotations. AC on JRich and they score almost EVERY possession.

[eathy]

And once again the defense sucks.

[KAVK]

Just tuned in what happened in the first?

It ain't over till fat lady sings. clamp down D & get the job done! Go NUGGETS!