Nobody knows what to expect from this game.
If both teams want to win it would be a great showdown.
If both teams want to lose it going to be a very bizarre game.
If one team wants to win, while others not, it may be a boring game.
If Pacers beat Rockets previously today, Nuggets and Clippers will be #3 and #2 (or #2 and #3) seeds anyway, and will probably meet in playoff WC-SF series again. The same scenario is if Rockets beat Pacers, and Nuggets win tonight.
If Rockets beat Pacers today (Pacers playing without Sabonis-Brogdon-Warren, Rockets without Westbrook) and Sixers in the final bubble round, they can overtake Nuggets on #3 seed only if Denver loses both remaining games (LAC and TOR).
If Denver wins both remaining games (LAC and TOR), and Clippers except tonight lose last game too (vs OKC), Denver will take #2 seed and face Dallas in 1st round.
Utah with just one game remaining can't overtake Houston, while Houston can't overtake Clippers, so Houston is the only team which we can't face before WCF anyway.
Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
Moderator: THE J0KER
Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
Pacers just beat Rockets despite playing without 3 starters, so seems Houston intentionally wants to stay at #4 (the previous game even played without Harden).
After such a result, Denver can be #2 seed only with beating both last games and if Clippers lose both their. In all other cases, Nuggets are #3 seed.
If both teams survive 1st PO round, Nuggets and Clippers will face each other in Western Conference semifinal, which makes this game much more exciting. Denver probably doesn't want to be #2 seed to face Mavs, but we still can stay #3 after eventual tonight victory with losing last game vs Toronto!
WC seeds
1) Lakers
2) Clippers/Nuggets-WW
3) Nuggets/Clippers-LL
4) Rockets/Thunder/Jazz
5) Thunder/Rockets/Jazz
6) Thunder/Jazz
7) Mavericks
8) Blazers/Grizzlies/Suns/Spurs
After such a result, Denver can be #2 seed only with beating both last games and if Clippers lose both their. In all other cases, Nuggets are #3 seed.
If both teams survive 1st PO round, Nuggets and Clippers will face each other in Western Conference semifinal, which makes this game much more exciting. Denver probably doesn't want to be #2 seed to face Mavs, but we still can stay #3 after eventual tonight victory with losing last game vs Toronto!
WC seeds
1) Lakers
2) Clippers/Nuggets-WW
3) Nuggets/Clippers-LL
4) Rockets/Thunder/Jazz
5) Thunder/Rockets/Jazz
6) Thunder/Jazz
7) Mavericks
8) Blazers/Grizzlies/Suns/Spurs
Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
With HOU loss today, even less of a reason to win this game, we'd only be playing for momentum. Should we win, it could mean the difference between playing a warm Dallas Mavs team and a mild Utah Jazz team, who I'd rather play honestly.
Texas Chuck wrote:I'd like to see Utah, and Denver lose
Exactly as I've been saying all along !!
Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
Denver will play without Harris and Barton again. Look for them to rest their starters after about 22 to 24 minutes of play. Strange game because I think the Clips will do something similar.
Canned in Denver.
Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
Well, Westbrook got hurt in a meaningless game, Nuggets need to consider this.
Texas Chuck wrote:I'd like to see Utah, and Denver lose
Exactly as I've been saying all along !!
Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
With HOU losing we really have nothing to gain by a win here
Texas Chuck wrote:I'd like to see Utah, and Denver lose
Exactly as I've been saying all along !!
Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
"BIG3" is a proven winning formula in the modern NBA. Boston, Miami, Cleveland, Golden State, use it in the past dozen seasons. And it works well for Denver since Murray is back.
We should try to win this game, and then losing vs Raptors to escape2nd seed Mavs troubles.
We should try to win this game, and then losing vs Raptors to escape2nd seed Mavs troubles.
Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
Just as I thought, Denver is pulling their starters at the beginning of the 4th quarter. MPJ is out with the starters and I think that ends any discussion about his minutes being restricted in the playoffs. Jokic, MPJ and Murray are the big three.
They don't want the 2nd seed and it is a smart move. Now they play Utah and not Dallas. Surprised the Clips are not doing the same by resting their starters.
My only gripe is that Grant should also be out but they are playing him well into the 4th.
They don't want the 2nd seed and it is a smart move. Now they play Utah and not Dallas. Surprised the Clips are not doing the same by resting their starters.
My only gripe is that Grant should also be out but they are playing him well into the 4th.
Canned in Denver.
Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
THE J0KER wrote:"BIG3" is a proven winning formula in the modern NBA. Boston, Miami, Cleveland, Golden State, use it in the past dozen seasons. And it works well for Denver since Murray is back.
We should try to win this game, and then losing vs Raptors to escape2nd seed Mavs troubles.
Losing secured the Nuggets the 3rd seed which is a better 1st round match-up for our path to the WCF's. And the game against the Raptors allows us to try to integrate Barton and Harris, who knows what kind of game they'll bring ???
And honestly, this whole restart seems irrelevant to me, more a seeding pre-tournament prior to the playoff tournament. Bring on the playoffs !!
Texas Chuck wrote:I'd like to see Utah, and Denver lose
Exactly as I've been saying all along !!
Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
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Re: Game 72 (bubble#7): Denver Nuggets (46-25) vs Los Angeles Clippers (47-23)
While watching this game, I focused on defensive play.
I loved watching Morris fail against Williams - but he shouldn't feel bad, almost everyone fails against him. What I liked was the effort and frankly, his defense against Williams was fairly decent. Not a flashy offense, but solid and consistent --- the same is true of his defense. I like Morris more every time I watch him play.
Porter's defense was still inadequate but I loved the effort he made. He was aware of team-defensive issues and made some decent plays. I have little doubt he will become better. His defense may never match his offense (but there's nothing wrong with that, his offense is that good). But with his length and athleticism, adequate defense seems the minimum he'll reach - given time.
I've seen it before and love it when Murray is matched up against a larger, taller, heavier, stronger player. He shows no fear and doesn't back off from physical play --- even better, he's somewhat effective against the bigger player. His team defense is improving too.
Against the Clippers, it's hard to matchup with both Kawhi & George. Barton is just too small at forward against them. Porter will struggle there too but Millsap & Grant seemed quite capable of being primary defenders against them.
Plumlee seemed to have a very good and effective defensive game. His defense is more active than Jokic's but they are both effective and in my opinion, they both over-play on picks. But I'm not convinced that's all their fault. Team-defense seems to need better rotations sometimes --- but that's true for a lot of teams. It's not easy in the modern NBA, the players are so athletic.
Overall though, our defense is fairly effective - in spurts. Consistent defense needs to be our focus, especially because we've got plenty of offense.
I loved watching Morris fail against Williams - but he shouldn't feel bad, almost everyone fails against him. What I liked was the effort and frankly, his defense against Williams was fairly decent. Not a flashy offense, but solid and consistent --- the same is true of his defense. I like Morris more every time I watch him play.
Porter's defense was still inadequate but I loved the effort he made. He was aware of team-defensive issues and made some decent plays. I have little doubt he will become better. His defense may never match his offense (but there's nothing wrong with that, his offense is that good). But with his length and athleticism, adequate defense seems the minimum he'll reach - given time.
I've seen it before and love it when Murray is matched up against a larger, taller, heavier, stronger player. He shows no fear and doesn't back off from physical play --- even better, he's somewhat effective against the bigger player. His team defense is improving too.
Against the Clippers, it's hard to matchup with both Kawhi & George. Barton is just too small at forward against them. Porter will struggle there too but Millsap & Grant seemed quite capable of being primary defenders against them.
Plumlee seemed to have a very good and effective defensive game. His defense is more active than Jokic's but they are both effective and in my opinion, they both over-play on picks. But I'm not convinced that's all their fault. Team-defense seems to need better rotations sometimes --- but that's true for a lot of teams. It's not easy in the modern NBA, the players are so athletic.
Overall though, our defense is fairly effective - in spurts. Consistent defense needs to be our focus, especially because we've got plenty of offense.
