Mavs<Spurs
05-15-2009, 09:48 AM
Rockets have two players that they can use to defend Carmelo: Battier and Artest.
Brooks has a definite speed advantage on Chauncey; however, Chauncey can post up Brooks all day long.
Artest is going to have to become more efficient. In his last 3 games, he is shooting below 40% from the field. His 3 point percentage declined from the beginning of the series.
Scola played really well in game 6. Nevertheless, Denver has a major advantage in the front court, obviously, with Kenyon Martin, Nene, and Chris Anderson.
Houston's tendency to turn the ball over (very evident against the Lakers) will really hurt them in this series against the Nuggets. The Nuggets are terrific at turning teams over and scoring in transition off of turnovers. This really gets their game going, fast end to end basketball. They will need to be much better at handling the ball.
In addition, Houston's love for the pick and roll which served them pretty well against LA may be much less effective against the Nuggets. The Nuggets have done a superior job in trapping and hedging to defeat pick and rolls, removing that weapon from the Mavericks' arsenal.
The lack of a shot blocker is likely to hurt Houston against Denver. A number of the players for Denver are able to go strong to the basket (ie. J. R. Smith).
This series is likely to go only 5 games before Denver wins it and goes to the NBA Finals to play and lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Brooks has a definite speed advantage on Chauncey; however, Chauncey can post up Brooks all day long.
Artest is going to have to become more efficient. In his last 3 games, he is shooting below 40% from the field. His 3 point percentage declined from the beginning of the series.
Scola played really well in game 6. Nevertheless, Denver has a major advantage in the front court, obviously, with Kenyon Martin, Nene, and Chris Anderson.
Houston's tendency to turn the ball over (very evident against the Lakers) will really hurt them in this series against the Nuggets. The Nuggets are terrific at turning teams over and scoring in transition off of turnovers. This really gets their game going, fast end to end basketball. They will need to be much better at handling the ball.
In addition, Houston's love for the pick and roll which served them pretty well against LA may be much less effective against the Nuggets. The Nuggets have done a superior job in trapping and hedging to defeat pick and rolls, removing that weapon from the Mavericks' arsenal.
The lack of a shot blocker is likely to hurt Houston against Denver. A number of the players for Denver are able to go strong to the basket (ie. J. R. Smith).
This series is likely to go only 5 games before Denver wins it and goes to the NBA Finals to play and lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers.