To start off, kudos to both the Nuggets and Mavericks for finishing off their first round opponents in five games. Both of these teams went into their respective series’ as underdogs.
The Nuggets took care of the Chris Paul led Hornets in an easy series win, which included a game four trouncing in which the Nuggets won by 58 points on the road. The two leaders of this Nuggets team really emerged and Chauncey Billups and Carmello Anthony played at another level. With Billups running the point, every player was involved, and his shooting ability opened up more space on the floor. This led to Carmello Anthony being able to pick his shots and spots and go from there. The supporting cast for the Nuggets came through in the clutch, as J.R. Smith and Chris Anderson provided huge sparks. Smith had his jump shot working and Anderson proved to be a force in the paint.
Defensively the Nuggets had no problem in containing the Hornets’ so called superior offense, which was stalled. The physicality the Nuggets displayed on Chris Paul was one of the main reasons the Hornets lost. Even if Paul were to get free and maneuver he was still stopped and was usually seen on his back. The Nuggets must display that type of physicality once again, because the Mavericks had no problem in getting to the basket and getting their shots off against a usually solid defensive Spurs team.
The Mavericks were led by Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. This series will be huge because both these teams match-up well. Offense will be the key in this series for both sides, but for the Mavericks they must focus in on the defensive end. The Nuggets had a much better offensive rhythm than the Mavericks and have to keep the points against low. One way to stop that is slow down Chauncey Billups, because if the Mavericks could get to him, then they will keep the Nuggets at bay.
In the first round the Mavericks did show they could play defense, but the Spurs were without Manu Ginobli, and that right there is at least 25 points a game missing. If the Mavericks ignore that fact they should be able to do just fine. But a lot of emphasis will be placed on the two point guards.
We all know Billups beat Paul, and he most definitely holds an advantage over Jason Kidd. Billups’ driving ability and jumpers alone beat Kidd, and that will be huge for the Nuggets. Besides the point guards, the Nuggets do have a higher quality of players, that the Mavericks can match, but not beat.
Overall, these two teams match-up well on paper, but on the court it’s another story and the Nuggets right now are the better team.
SERIES PREDICTION --> THE DENVER NUGGETS WILL WIN THIS SERIES IN 6 GAMES ON THE STRENGTH OF CHAUNCEY BILLUPS AND CARMELLO ANTHONY.
*THE ONLY WAY THE DALLAS MAVERICKS COULD WIN THIS SERIES IS IF THEY DISPLAY THEIR WINNING ABILITY ON THE ROAD ONCE AGAIN LIKE THEY DID VERSUS THE SPURS.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
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