New Orleans Hornets Denver Nuggets Game 3 Predictions
Written April 24, 2009 by Jason Lowry
It has not been pretty in the first two games for the New Orleans Hornets, after getting killed in game 1 by a score of 113-84, the Hornets dropped another lopsided affair in game 2 to the Denver Nuggets 108-93. The story of the series has been the play of Nugget’s point guard Chauncey Billups, who after scoring 36 in game 1, came back to score 31 in game 2. It wasn’t just Billups doing the damage in game 2, as Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and 9 assists and reserve J.R. Smith dropped in 15 off the bench. The Nuggets also got double-digit scoring from starters Kenyon Martin (13) and Dahntay Jones (11). For the Hornets Chris Paul had a typical double-double with 14 points and 13 assists and star forward David West had a team high 21 points. The Hornets also got some good scoring from starters Rasual Butler (12) and Peja Stojakovic (17) and reserve forward James Posey (12), but it was no where near enough to keep up with the red hot shooting Nuggets. The series is headed to New Orleans for Game 3 on Saturday, and unless the Hornets find an answer for Billups, this series is going to be all but over. Here is a look at what I think each team needs to do to win, and who I think will come out on top against the spread.
What the Nuggets have to do to win: As the Lakers showed in their trip to Utah, winning on the road is not as easy as it might seem, even for the supposed best team in the Western Conference, so the Nuggets are going to have to find someway to keep this play rolling on the road. Billups has been outstanding so far in this series, and you have to wonder if or when this guy is going to come back to earth and have a mediocre game. The Nuggets were outstanding distributing the basketball in game 2 with 26 assists, and that is something they will need to carry over to game 3. I think they have to continue to get solid play out of their bench players, especially Chris Anderson and Smith, but I also think they will need some more scoring from either Anthony or Martin in game 3, as I don’t think Billups will go for another 30 points. The defense has been great to start the series and something many of us aren’t use to seeing from the Nuggets in the postseason, but the key will be how that translates on the road. Really all the Nuggets have to do is win either game 3 or 4 and this series is pretty much over. Bet the Nuggets +4.5 at Sportsbook.com.
What the Hornets have to do to win: I know Chris Paul is always looking to get others involved, but I thought there were numerous times in game 2 where Paul had a wide open shot from the free throw line and passed it up. While his playmaking ability for his team is the reason this team is so good, they just don’t have the scoring on this team to win without him scoring more than 14 points. The Hornets got a lot more out of Tyson Chandler in game 2, but you can tell this guy is not anywhere near the level he was a year ago, and any more improvements he can make is only going to help this team. If the Hornets are going to win game 3 at home, they have to get better bench play. Posey was much more active and affective in game 2, but no one else off the bench scored more than 4 points. Besides Paul being more of a scorer and the bench showing up, I think this team needs to really crack down on the defensive side of things, as the Nuggets, especially Billups, are getting whatever they want whenever they want. I expect a much different Hornets team in game 3. Bet the Hornets -4.5 at Sportsbook.com.
My Prediction: Hornets -4.5. I think the Hornets make a series out of it with a solid win in game 3. I know it hasn’t been pretty the first two games, but this team is better than what they have shown so far. I look for Paul to completely take over the game and the Hornets to slow down Billups. This one will be close throughout, but I like the Hornets to pull away with a big win at the end.
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