Denver Nuggets Steal Kings Gold In Second Of Back To Back

Sometimes in sports its about the team you beat.  Other times it is about the way you get it done.

Last night the Nuggets headed out to Sacramento for the second of a back to back.  The Sacramento Kings were short handed, but that same short handed team forced the Indiana Pacers to overtime before sending them off to Denver with a hard fought victory.  The advantage for the Nuggets against the Pacers was getting a team that had fought hard the night before and got in late before we saw them. Sacramento had that same advantage against us.

What  makes the Sacramento game significant was the manner in which they beat Indiana the night before. They came one point short of tacos, beat
the team with the best record in the league and played minimal minutes while doing it.  There is no way to play the second of a back to back with totally fresh legs, but the Nuggets came close.

Sacramento played us like they hoped we would wilt.  When we did not, they wilted instead.  The Denver Nugget team defense is impressive when it needs to be. On occasion they disrespect their own defense with poor rebounding, but they are capable of defending and rebounding with any team in the league.  They have the versatility to hurt your with their speed or match you strength for strength up front. In fact, the new Nuggets can also knock it down from deep and are posting the highest scoring average in the league over the past 10 games.

In a recent interview, I was happy to hear Wilson Chandler declare himself as the number two option behind Ty Lawson.  This was a clear sign of a declared hierarchy in the Nugget locker room.  Lawson is grabbing hold of his team and is starting to show signs of real maturity by creating shots early in the quarter and scoring himself to close the quarter. That formula demands that others get actively involved in the scoring early and Chandler has risen to that challenge.

Playing smart and hard is vital on the road and even more vital in back to backs.  Saving enough energy to close strong is an economy of wisdom that inexperienced teams seldom achieve.  You know, like the Nuggets usually are except for last night.