Born a Nuggets Fan has moved to Pickaxe and Roll
This is a day late and the Nuggets have already had a much better win, even though it may have lacked the style points that this one did, under their belt. Still, I want to share a couple of thoughts with you all regarding the win against the Wizards.
The ball movement was phenomenal in the second period during which they took control of the game outscoring the Wizards 32-25 resulting in a nine point half time lead. The set that was so stagnant in Boston where everyone stood around until someone set a pick for AI, who then would either jack a shot or pass it to someone else to jack up a shot, was only used a handful of times. They were in motion from the time the ball crossed half court.
There are two statistical indicators of what they were doing on offense. First of all they had 32 assists on 45 buckets a very good percentage. When the Nuggets are winning they are sharing the ball and getting a bundle of assists. Secondly, AI only had 15 points on only 13 shots. The ball was not constantly in his hands and that ended up being a good thing.
Things bogged down a bit in the third quarter, but for good reason. Melo absolutely caught fire. He was simply amazing. It looked like it was a game where dad was playing with the kids and letting them win until they started talking trash. Suddenly dad got fed up and decided to prove a point. (You guys with boys over 10 years-old know what I am talking about.) The Nuggets absolutely destroyed the Wiz in the third quarter outscoring them 33-11. Melo outscored them on his own 18 (I think he had 18 in the quarter, please do not make me go back through the play by play to double check it) to the aforementioned 11.
Two other quick points and it is on to the Indy game.
One, the Nuggets actually tried running once again and they looked a little rusty. They constantly forced passes that were not available and that resulted in a lot of ugly basketball. You know what, I do not care. I am just glad that they tried to get out on the break.
Two, the Nuggets’ three point shooting was excellent. Melo was 2-3 which put him at 8-21 or 38% on the season, Camby was 1-1, Diawara was 2-4, AI 1-3, J.R. Smith was 2-4, Kleiza was 2-3 and Bobby Jones was 2-4. As a team the Nuggets shot 12-25 good for 48%.
All in all the Nuggets did what they should have against a team that is not playing very good ball right now.
Born A Nuggets Fan 