I don't hold out much hope that Denver will prevail, but man it would be a fantastic upset and a real feather in the Nuggets cap if they did! I know lots of forumites really like the San Antonio Spurs team, but I just cannot forgive them for Game 7 that took our repeat championship from us even if we were outplayed in the game itself. I really have a visceral dislike for Parker, Ginobili, Duncan and Bowen. The only Spur I like is Fabricio Oberto, Pop's "bull in the china shop." I think Pop is a great coach though, but to me Pistons/Spurs will always be a rivalry with teeth.

AI and Nene are my favorite players on the Denver team. They have an interesting group of bench players too. Najera, Kleiza, J.R. Smith, Blake...lots of entertainment value with that group. Win or lose, they aren't boring.

Ultimately, they won't be able to deal with the Spurs defense and even though the Nuggets defense has improved alot, they won't be able to play both ends of the court. I look to them to have a few nice games though.

So at halftime, the Spurs are shooting 33% from the floor, Duncan and Parker and Manu are a combined 7-33, Carmella and AI have combined for 28 points...and the Spurs are only down 2. Not exactly good news for Denver.

The Broncos oops Rockets looked good tonight. They have been playing really good ball. As a former coach of theirs, in the ABA, and with them having one of his all time favorite players playing at the top of this game, I am sure Pound 4 Pound is smiling about their "playing the right way" tonight.

Nice win for the Nugs. Spurs shot a lot better in the second half, but hurt themselves with more turnovers, and Denver's execution down the stretch was great. They can stay in pretty much any game where AI and Carmella combine for 61, and the athleticism from Nene and Camby made things really tough for Duncan and the Spurs front line. I'm not buying the hype from some corners about how Denver can win this series, but it does look like it could be pretty tough for San Antonio.

I dont know D4E, winning game 1 in SA is huge for the Nuggets. I know SA is a very good road team, however, if they go down 0-2, this will perhaps be the first upset of these playoffs.

A very good game, I love to see AI, set up his teamates and look for his shot. When he does that he is a handful! Blake needs to be a bit more agressive when the ball is in his hands, he seemed very hesitant to shoot when he had wide open looks.

Moreover, Nene and Camby is no joke as they pulled down 22 rebounds (Nuggets had 44 rebounds total) between them, SA had 35 rebounds, Duncan the only Spur (10) with double digit boards.

It will be a done deal if the Spurs lose game 2, IMO.

__________________
"We are going to be really good offensively and definsively, we are going to be a team that can beat you 120-110, or beat you 80-70" Coach Michael Curry on the 2008-2009 Pistons.

Sure, although I think the Spurs are likely to play better in Game 2, and the shooting percentages for AI and Carmella (they both shot 50% or better tonight) aren't likely to be that high very often. Though it does look like Nene and Camby might be able to do some consistent damage on the boards and on D.

Wow, it's only one game but...

Happy for Aurora

Sad for Barb of SA

This could be a situation where the Nuggets came in hot and appear to have it all together at the right time with Melo, AI, Nene, and Camby. I know Spurs can come back and win it, but if they or even Dalls lose game two then you may have the whole west turned upside down here!!

Works for me. I have Phoenix coming out of the West in my bracket.

I'm totally surprised the Spurs and Mavs lost today. This also should make us appreciate the Pistons wins over the Magic all the more. You just can't take playoff victories for granted.

Didn't Denver steal game one from SA a few years back only to have Spurs sweep the rest of the series? This one looks like it may get more interesting. This Denver team has players. They can compete in all categories. They have a quick penetrating guard, they have a high-scoring small forward, and they have front line that can get boards, defend, and put some points on the board. This is going to be one heck of a series.