No, the Nuggets aren't "just happy to be here." You might have thought differently from their over-the-top celebration last week after getting out of the first round for the first time since 1994, or perhaps from the lackluster way in which they allowed the Mavericks to jump out to an early lead in Game 1 of the conference semis on Sunday afternoon.
But finally, the real Denver Nuggets, as focused and dangerous as any team left in the postseason, re-appeared over the final three quarters on Sunday, knocking the visiting Mavs on their heels before running away with a 109-95 victory.
Nuggets Lead 1-0 | Next Game: Tuesday @ Denver, 10:30 PM ET
In the first round, Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony took turns sharing the spotlight for the Nuggets, but on Sunday a cast of new faces took center stage. Nene led the team with 24 points, doing much of his damage in the first half when Nuggets battled back from a first-quarter deficit, while Chris Andersen (11 points, six boards, six blocks, +28 plus/minus) and J.R. Smith (15 points, six assists, +22 plus/minus) had big games off the bench.
Anthony, who scored 23 points on 10 field-goal attempts, still made his presence felt, but Billups, with six points and six assists, took a backseat to his teammates. The Nuggets may not be able to cruise to another 14-point win without getting more out of their All-Star point guard, but for one game it was more than enough, especially with Anthony Carter (12 points, four assists) picking up some of the slack.
In fact, that was a recurring theme all game long: Denver's bench came up huge all afternoon. As George Karl commented after the game, it seemed like the Nuggets had a hot hand on the floor at all times -- and on both ends of the floor. The bench combined for seven blocks and six steals, helping force the Mavericks into 20 turnovers.
Adding injury to insult, the Mavericks briefly lost Josh Howard after he turned his right ankle. He eventually returned, but considering he entered the postseason nursing an ailing left ankle, it's a little concerning that he's now playing through injuries on both feet.
If the Mavericks are going to match up against Denver's superior size and depth, they need consistent efforts out of Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. On Sunday, only Nowitzki (28 points) did anything of note. Unless that changes, this series could get out of hand before it even goes back to Dallas.
Latest NBA Playoff Photos
DENVER - MAY 3: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets goes to the basket against Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carmelo Anthony;Jason Kidd
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DENVER - MAY 3: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play against the Dallas Mavericks during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carmelo Anthony
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DENVER - MAY 3: J.R. Smith #1 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates a play against the Dallas Mavericks during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.R. Smith
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DENVER - MAY 3: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a play against the Dallas Mavericks during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carmelo Anthony
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DENVER - MAY 03: Head coach Rick Carlisle of the Dallas Mavericks motions to the referees wanting a foul called against the Denver Nuggets in Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 109-95. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rick Carlisle
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DENVER - MAY 3: J.R. Smith #31 of the Denver Nuggets reacts to the fans against the Dallas Mavericks during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.R. Smith
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DENVER - MAY 3: Nene #31 and Chauncey Billups #7 of the Denver Nuggets react to a play against the Dallas Mavericks during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Nene;Chauncey Billups
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Dallas Mavericks forward Ryan Hollins, right, goes up for a shot as Denver Nuggets forward Nene, of Brazil, defends the third quarter of the Nuggets' 109-95 victory in Game 1 of an NBA basketball Western Conference semifinal series in Denver on Sunday, May 3, 2009. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
AP
DENVER - MAY 3: J.R. Smith #1 and Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate a play against the Dallas Mavericks during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.R. Smith;Carmelo Anthony
NBAE/Getty Images
DENVER - MAY 3: Carmelo Anthony #15 of the Denver Nuggets celebrates a play against the Dallas Mavericks during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center on May 3, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carmelo Anthony
NBAE/Getty Images
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-03-2009 @ 8:09PM
iput4doe8 said...
The refs allowed Denver to foul all afternoon with only about 1/3 of the calls made. Waht a farce.
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5-03-2009 @ 9:31PM
NugsNOTthugs said...
Give me a break, iput4doe8. Melo got 4 ridiculous calls against him and had to sit much of the first half. The MAVERICKS allowed Denver to get to the free throw line, and get fastbreak points. LOTS of fastbreak points. How'd they do it? With AWFUL passing, settling for jumpshot, not taking the ball to the hole. Face it, dude, the Mavs lost because the Nuggets were the better team today. I'm so sick of people using refs as an excuse when their team just doesn't compete.
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