Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 8:00PM (ET)

[_amon _ones]

Game 9 of the 2008/09 Season

vs.

All Eyes on The Prize

RECORDS
Cavs: 6-2 (1st in Central)
Nuggets: 4-3 (3rd in Northwest)

7:30 PM EST

AT

INSIDE

Tickets Available at:



HEAD COACHES

Mike Brown | George Karl

Cavs Starting 5
Mo Williams|D West | James |Big Ben |Zadrunas

vs.

Billups|Dahntay Jones |Melo| Kleiza | Nene
Nuggets Starting 5

Cavaliers Rotation

Wally World | Wild Thing | Boobie

Cavaliers Bench

JJ | Wright | Kinsey | Pavs| Money Shot

Cavaliers Injuries

E Snow | Jackson

· Eric Snow (Left Knee) is out.
·Darnell Jackson (wrist) is out.

Nuggets Rotation

Smith | Carter | Balkman

Nuggets Bench

Cheikh Samb

Nuggets Injuries

Birdman | K-Mart | Hunter | Weems | Chucky

· Chris Andersen (Broken rib) is out.
· Kenyon Martin (left wrist sprain) is questionable.
· Steven Hunter (right knee inflammation) is out.
· Sonny Weems (left groin strain) is out.
· Chucky Atkins (right knee surgery) is out.

(Almost) Useless Stats
Melo vs. LBJ: Head to Head

LeBron _ Melo

Game|Date|Location|Points|Rebounds|Assists|Blocks|_|Points|Rebounds|Assists|Blocks|Winner-Final Score
1|11/5/03|Cle|7|11|7|3|_|14|6|2|1| Denver 93-89
2|12/2/03|Den|19|6|5|0|_|26|5|2|4| Denver 115-103
3|12/2/04|Den|17|8|9|1|_|14|4|0|1| Cleveland 92-73
4|2/11/05|Cle|35|6|6|0|_|14|6|1|0| Denver 106-101
5|11/13/05|Cle|26|4|9|0|_|23|5|1|0| Cleveland 94-85
6|1/18/06|Den|24|11|9|0|_|17|1|3|2| Denver 90-89
7|1/19/07|Den|30|10|10|0|_|D|N|P|| Denver 110-99
8|3/25/07|Cle|18|3|8|0|_|27|5|2|0| Denver 105-93
9|11/12/07|Den|27|1|4|0|_|22|9|6|0| Denver 122-100
10|2/10/08|Cle|30|5|3|0|_|27|8|1|0| Denver 113-83
-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
| AVG | | 23.3 | 6.5 | 7 | 0.4 | | 20.4 | 5.4 | 2.0 | 0.9 | Denver 101.2-94.3

Cavaliers Notes​

· The Cavs are 2-8 against the Nuggets in the LeBron/Melo Era, losing 5 in a row, and going 1-4 at home.

· James was named Player of the Week for the Eastern Conference on 11/10/2008. He averaged 34.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.8 steals, and 1.3 blocks leading the Cavs to a 4-0 record for the week.

· LBJ leads the Cavs in the following: 36.9 mpg, 29.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 6.9 apg, 1.88 steals per game, and 3.4 TO per game.

· LBJ has scored 41 points in 3 of his last 4 games. He scored only 27 in the other game...all wins.

· LeBron, Big Ben, AV, and Z are averaging 28.6 rpg collectively.

· The Cavs are averaging 99.5 ppg while giving up 93.0 ppg (+6.5 differential) and out rebounding teams 40.4 to 37.9 per game. They also out block their opponents by a 6.13 to 3.5 margin.

· Four Cavaliers are averaging double figures in points: LBJ (29.8), Z (15.5), Mo (14.4), and D West (10.3), with AV just under at 8.8 ppg.

· The Cavs have not beaten Denver since 11/13/05.

· Only 3 Cavaliers are averaging more than 30 minutes per game: LeBron (36.9), Mo (34.3), and Delonte (33.8). Eight players are averaging at least 20 minutes.

· Mike Brown actually has a real 8 man rotation.

· The Cavaliers have held their opponents to a combined .419 shooting (263-628), ranking 5th in the NBA while allowing opponents to only score 93.0 points per game, which is tied for 6th in the NBA.

· Cleveland ranks 4th in the NBA in field goal shooting at 285-607 (.470) and 1st in the Eastern Conference while ranking 8th in the NBA in points scored (99.5) and 3rd in the Eastern Conference (Indiana, Miami).

· Against Milwaukee, the Cavs shot .813 (26-32) from the free throw line and have shot at least .813 from the line in four consecutive games. The last time Cleveland shot .800 or better from the line in four consecutive games was from November 5-11, 2005. The team currently ranks 7th in the NBA in free throw attempts per game (29.3).

· Zydrunas Ilgauskas recorded his third double-double of the season with 15 points and 10 rebounds on Tuesday. Cleveland has won 12 of the last 13 games in which Ilgauskas has had a double-double.

· Anderson Varejao scored 13 points, on 5-5 shooting, and grabbed 10 rebounds, notching the 16th double-double of his career. Cleveland is 14-2 in games Varejao records a double-double and 35-14 in games in which he scores at least 10 points. Varejao is averaging 14.7 points on .720 shooting (18-25) and 7.3 rebounds per game over his last three games. This is the fourth time in his career Varejao has scored in double figures in three consecutive games.

· Mo Williams finished the game against Milwaukee with 16 points and five assists. Williams started the season 24-24 from the free throw line before recording his first miss in the fourth quarter Tuesday night. He is currently 25-26 (.962) from the line on the season, which ranks 2nd in the NBA among players with at least 25 free throw attempts (Calderon).

Nuggets Notes​

· Carmelo Anthony is averaging 20.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg, and 2.0 apg against the Cavs in his career (9 games).

· Melo leads the Nuggeets at 23.6 ppg, is 3rd with 6.8 rpg, and is 3rd with 4.4 apg. He has 1 block in 5 games.

· Chauncey Billups leads the Nuggets in assists per game (6.6) and steals (2.2).

· The Nuggets top 4 rebounders average 28.9 rpg. They are: Nene (8.9), K Mart (7.6), Melo (6.8), and Kleiza (5.6).

· The Nuggets are averaging 100.1 points per game while giving up 98.7. They are out rebounded 45.9 to 44.6 per game.

· Nene, Birdman, Balkman, and Carter are all averaging 50% or better from the field. However, the team is only shooting 43.7% from the field and 26.4% from three.

· JR Smith has remained accident and suspension (both NBA and driving privileges) free so far during the 2008/2009 season.

_amon's Keys to the Game​

· Attack the inside. The Nuggets are short handed right now and can't afford to get anyone into foul trouble. With K-Mart questionable and Andersen out, the Nuggets will be relying on Cheikh Samb (and maybe moving Melo to the 4) to backup Kleiza and Nene. The Nuggets have 7 guys averaging at least 2.7 fouls per contest, with 5 of those at 3.4, or better, per game. The Cavs have only 2 players in that range: Mo (3.6) and AV (3.8). The Cavs can live all night with easy buckets driving the lane and at the foul line.

· Don't get in the proverbial pissing contest. First, LeBron needs to keep playing his game and not worry about his matchup against Melo. His stats will come and dominate Anthony's if he allows the Cavs to flow as they have been. Second, the Cavs, as a team, do not need to trade shots with the outside shooting of Denver. Denver has some great outside shooting with Chauncey, Melo, Smith, Carter, and Kenyon Martin. They haven't shown it so far this season, but this team can be lethal from the outside if given the chance. Don't let it happen. Slow the pace and play the inside out game to keep the Nuggets from finding any rhythm.

_amon's Prediction

Cavs 107, Nuggets 101​

· The Nuggets are hurting. Literally. They could be down 5 players for this game. Three are out for sure, with Martin and Hunter questionable, at best. I see the Cavs dominating early, then falling off early in the second half with a surge led by Melo, Chauncey, and JR Smith getting the Nuggets withing striking distance before the Cavs finally put them away.

· The Cavs have had their trouble against the Nuggets in the past, but this is a new team that is lightyears ahead of the ones LBJ had supporting him before. This year seems very different, though...this team has played very well, and they only will only get better as time and chemistry gels them from title contender to title favorite.

Obligatory Cavs' Girls Shots

​

 

[ChicagoCavFan]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

Finally someone carried on with the girls. That is a preview must have. Heck, stalk their myspace pages for pics on the preview. Take note.

 

[Lee]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

way to jinx tonights game by:

A. posting this thread before the game starts

B. giving us the win tonight without the game even starting.

 

[Prekazi]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

way to jinx tonights game by:

A. posting this thread before the game starts

B. giving us the win tonight without the game even starting.

Ah, time for Jinx Buster eh?

Don't worry I'll reverse jinx it now.

Denver owns us.
I don't remember we ever beating them.
i heard LeBron can't play basketball because of Melo's new haircut.
Nene is going to kill our bigs on the boards.
Billups want revenge!
We're going to lose it by 20!!!

 

[KIisKing]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

Should be a good game for Mo to prove he can play some D. Why is Dahanty Jones starting for the nuggets? George Karl is a dumbass.

 

[KingSimba]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

he scored 20 points a few games ago

 

[Mdog1]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

I haven't been wrong yet i'm pretty sure so i'll have to keep it going.

We win with 103-100. LeBron and Mo have a combined 52 points 13 assists and 13 rebounds.

AV continues his stellar play, and Z plays a good game against NeNe. We should have five players in double digits and three in double rebounds. BW has 3 blocks.

 

[JJ Smooth]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

Just remember our bread and butter: DEFENSE. Our offense will come, but Denver's defense is almost non-existant. Play the half court game and tighten up, and the victory should be an easy one. Also key would be to play like the recently wrapped Bucks game, limit the turnovers (only 10!).

Cavs 107 to Nugs 98

 

[_amon _ones]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

way to jinx tonights game by:

A. posting this thread before the game starts

B. giving us the win tonight without the game even starting.

:chuckles:

It was the Bucks...I wasn't worried about a jinx. I gave the Nuggets the win over the Bobcats too...I don't have to edit any of that stuff...just the stats.

 

[chiefwahoo]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

Money Shot

:chuckles:

And I was starting to really take a liking to her for two big reasons (.)(.) but sadly, I think she is off the squad.

 

[Gimme Some Mo]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

Yea, that is a really sad thing. I think the Cavalier Girls are looking worse than they ever have this year. I kinda miss the red head too. And that skinny little blond.

 

[JJ Smooth]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

This picture reminds me of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OBPaenkxdg

Back to the basketball discussion!

 

[_amon _ones]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

You mean Amanda...

​

 

[Gimme Some Mo]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

Yep, I love me some Amanda. The pic with her in the middle holding the ball, with all of them in the blue dresses, they have to bring back all 3 of the girls standing in the middle. I usually don't like the really skinny blonds, but I liked her.

 

[wuck]

Re: Game 9 | Cavaliers vs Nuggets Nov. 13th, 7:30PM (ET)

The Cavs have had so much trouble with the Nuggets' transition game. I give the Cavs' guards a better chance of keeping up with Billups in there (but he'll improve their half-court sets).

If the Cavs play defense for most of the game, instead of waiting for the 4th, they should be okay.

But how can you blame them if they're distracted by the Cavalier girls?