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No time to go too in-depth on tonight's game in Denver, but you can expect the Nuggets to run-and-gun (6th-fastest Pace Factor in the NBA) while Chauncey Billups gives Jose Calderon fits on both ends of the court. Nene may never live up to his contract, but he's averaging 14.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks this season while shooting 63 percent from the field — career-best numbers across the board. 'Melo's got a sore elbow and has had troubles converting scoring opportunities (.399 FG%), but I don't think the Raptors have anyone who can guard him so I expect him to improve that number after this game. This would be a fine time for "Good Joey" to make a cameo.
The Links
Matt Devlin reports that Jermaine O'Neal will play tonight in Denver even though his ankle is not 100 percent. Let the discussion begin about whether or not that's a good idea against a fast-paced team like the Nuggets.
T. Jose Caldeford (a smart Raptors blog that I had sadly neglected before now) has a theory on why changing coaches might not help the Raptors much.
Doug Smith has a story about Jose Calderon's "grittyness". Hey, I wonder which Maple Leaf he should be compared to? Wait, wrong paper.
The Nugg Doctor posts the five most important match-ups of the game from a Nuggets fan perspective. He's a little off, though, when he says the Raptors have a "talented crew of reserves."
The Sweet 16 weekly NBA power poll debuts on The Score's Court Surfing blog. Anyone who reminds me that I used to hate power polls gets banned from the Internet.
Celtics fans continue to be a special breed of homer. As I write this, over 30 percent of the voters on CelticsBlog think Rajon Rondo is an All-Star this season. Devin who? Derrick what?
Paul Pierce continues his weird obsession with his perceived standing in the game: "I've always been the Rodney Dangerfield of this game."
Starbury being Starbury in his meeting with Knicks President Donnie Walsh yesterday: "The meeting Monday was scheduled for 2 p.m. Marbury's Rolls-Royce pulled up to the building at 2:30 p.m. Although he still has access to the players' private lot, Marbury had his driver park in front. Wearing blue jeans and a black T-shirt emblazoned with his personal logo, Marbury strode through the front doors and smiled for a small group of reporters and cameras. He left 15 minutes later, then waited in his car.
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