Game 25: Denver Nuggets (17-7) @ Charlotte Hornets (11-13) - 7:00 PM ET

ducler · Post #1 » by **ducler** » Fri Dec 7, 2018 8:30 pm

Post #2 » by **NuggetsWY** » Fri Dec 7, 2018 9:18 pm

Who covers Walker? Craig? Murray? Beasley might be the best during the game when you consider size & quickness. If the wings are awake and pinch down when he drives off from picks, it should be a good game. If Murray applies himself wisely, I love his grittiness on defense and hope he can elevate his defense against Walker. Craig can give him fits but I'm afraid he'll be a half-step slow. He's fairly quick and fairly smart. Team effort against Walker is what we need.

Other than that, I like the matchup and it should be an easier game than Orlando was - if our guys don't decide to give 75% effort.

Post #3 » by **THE J0KER** » Fri Dec 7, 2018 10:07 pm

I was confused seeing Vegas odds on OP was 50/50, and when I checked myself now, I realize that in the meantime Hornets became even bookmakers favorites?! I have no rational explanation for that, despite Harris and Barton injury and some notable Charlotte wins at home this season (MIL, BOS). Kemba played at the start of the season like MVP contender, which is not the case lately, and Denver won last 5 games on the road, which including some clearly better than Hornets. In the middle of November, Kemba Walker scored 40+ points in back-to-back games (including 60+ game), but after that, he can't score more than 25 (last 8 games). Another threat is Jeremy Lamb with playing past two weeks probably career-best basketball, and Batum is proven veteran, but Denver big-man PF/C line is so dominant compared to the opponent, so I can't see how Hornets will survive it unless Denver is going to underperform badly today.

Post #4 » by **THE J0KER** » Sat Dec 8, 2018 1:24 am

-11 at halftime, arguably worst 1st half this season. 2017 road game at its worst, with no defense and low energy and focus in offense. And all this happens with Kemba Walker 1-4 from the field.

But I still have hope. Denver is so much better team.

Post #5 » by **THE J0KER** » Sat Dec 8, 2018 2:38 am

It is not the end of the world to have one awful game after 7-games winning streak. Let's hope Millsap injury is not serious.

Post #6 » by **NuggetsWY** » Sat Dec 8, 2018 4:50 am

2nd quarter was terrible defense - the bench seems to adjust to mismatches very poorly. The starters are doing much better at that than last year. When one of our guards and one of our bigs switch, that's when they need to find a way to switch back. Also, it shouldn't be a big surprise that Parker totally took advantage of Morris in that second quarter.

Kudos to Malone for giving Morris a second chance against Parker in the 4th quarter and he did much better. That was nice to watch.

Jokic only had 6 assists - maybe that's because most of the game the rest of the team was standing around waiting for him to make a sensational pass. I don't know who they expected him to pass to because nobody was moving much. <sigh> Even so, we scored enough to win. Most of the stats were good or better than good except

Den 101 FGA
Cha 86 FGA - both with similar poor percentage
but
Den 26 FTA
Cha 38 FTA - indicates who was moving on offense
plus
Den 23% 3pt
Cha 37% 3pt - defense wasn't quite there

All of this with two starters out and losing a 3rd with less than 20 minutes played.

Not a game we should of lost but the real test will be how we play tomorrow.