The Toronto Raptors (35-34) are back home to take on one of the most explosive offensive teams in the Western Conference, the Denver Nuggets (41-28). The Nuggets are third in the NBA, averaging 109.1 ppg.
The Nuggets had dropped two of their first 5 games of their road trip before knocking off the off the New Jersey Nets on Friday night 125-114. Allen Iverson led his squad with 26 points and 9 assists.
The Raptors are coming off a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday Night. LeBron James was quiet most of the game, but erupted in the fourth quarter and finished with 29 points, becoming the all time leading scorer in Cleveland Cavalier history in just his 5th season.
Starting 5:
Anthony Carter/Jose Calderon
Allen Iverson/Anthony Parker
Carmelo Anthony/Jamario Moon
Kenyon Martin/Chris Bosh
Marcus Camby/Andrea Bargnani
Key Match-ups:
Chris Bosh appears to be healthy. The all-star forward scored 24 points in just his second game back from injury. Bosh seemed to struggle with his timing, but was running the floor like he did before missing 10 straight games. Denver loves to run and gun and their bigs get involved in the offense. Kenyon Martin and Eduardo Najera will do their best to contain Bosh.
The combination of Iverson and Anthony is arguably the most potent duo in the NBA. Combined they average 52.0 ppg, which is an absolutely scary stat. It will be up to Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon to make this “dynamic duo” work hard for each bucket.
Game Notes:
Denver guard Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are 3rd and 4th respectively in the NBA scoring race; reigning Defensive Player of the Year and former Raptor draft pick Marcus Camby is second in the NBA in rebounding (13.6); the Nuggets are 2.5 games behind Golden State for the eighth in the Western Conference; Denver beat the Supersonics 168-116 on Monday; the Nuggets are 13-21 on the road this season.
Raptors centre Rasho Nesterovic is averaging 14.8 ppg over his last 8; Carlos Delfino was held scoreless in Friday’s loss to Cleveland and has failed to score in double digits in the last 4; the Raptors are 20-13 at home this season.
Technorati Tags: Allen Iverson, Anthony Parker, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Denver Nuggets, Jose Calderon, Lebron James, Marcus Camby, Rasho Nesterovic
March 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 am
I wish very much them not to get pounded..
Melvin’s last blog post..Who’s the worst starting pg in the league?
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:50 am
I can’t remember the last time the Raps beat a good team.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:10 am
i’m with melvin, hopefully they don’t get abused on their homecourt.
March 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 am
Well, the raptors had better win if they want any kind of chance of advancing past the first round. Philadelphia has been on fire and are now like .007 behind the raptors in the standings. If they don’t win tonight and philadelphia keeps winning, we’re looking at Detroit in the first round which equals death.
March 23rd, 2008 at 1:43 pm
lol @ detroit = death. philly has serious heart. it is upsetting to see what they are doing without an all-star, and what the raptors are doing with an all-star and an almost all-star (calderon). speaks to the type of players philly has fielded (evans, iguadala, miller, dalembert). heart and grit can grind out wins. talent needs to be firing on all cylinders to get the same result.
March 23rd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
The Raptors will play a close game today vs Denver, win or lose.
Whichever team executes better offensively, defensively and Rebounding wise … during the final 6 minutes of the 4thQ … will get the W.
khandor’s last blog post..Become Legendary
March 23rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
C’mon guys… keep it together…
Bosh could very well end today with a triple double if he stopped his outside shooting. Bargnani mixing it up inside and outside. All they have to do is maintain intensity (and the lead).