Pooh
11-05-2003, 02:10 AM
Pacers Hammer Carmelo, Whip Nuggets 71-60
By Johnnie Clay - Pacers Insider
November 4, 2003 11:15pm.
In a game that on paper looked like another showcase for Nuggets rookie Carmelo Anthony, quickly turned into a clinic on how to defend the young superstar, as the Pacers held the Nuggets to only 7 third quarter points, on their way to a convincing 71-60 victory at Conseco Fieldhouse this evening.
Anthony, who many think could be the real Rookie of the Year instead of Cleveland's Lebron James, was 1-13 from the field tonight, scoring only 2 points. Ron Artest guarded the young man like a blanket, smothering him at all times. When able to get a shot off, Anthony never found his range the whole evening.
"Carmelo has great talent, and it was just one of those nights. Nothing was falling, and he struggled." Said Pacers Guard Kenny Anderson. "There will be another night, and I’m sure that he’ll work to get himself back in the flow."
The Pacers were definately in the flow of things tonight, holding the Nuggets to only 10 points in the first quarter, then literally shutting them out in third quarter with the franchise record 7 points allowed. Overall, the Nuggets were held to 29 percent shooting this evening.
Had it not been for the Nuggets' Earl Boykins scoring 16 points (he only scored 2 points the rest of the game) alone in the second quarter, the outcome could've been a lot worse.
Pacers' Coach Rick Carlisle was proud of his teams' performance this evening.
"Other than the Detroit game, it was our best sustained defensive effort. You’ll get games like this when neither team can put it in the basket - some nights are like this. Jermaine O’Neal played a spectacular game. Every big shot, every big rebound, he was the key guy. I thought Al Harrington played great early, but then he got in foul trouble. Jeff Foster again stepped up and did some things and the dirty work aspect of the game."
The star for the Pacers tonight was All-Star Jermaine O'Neal, who put up another amazing performance, scoring 25 points and 20 rebounds. O'Neal remembered how Denver defeated the Pacers a few weeks ago during the pre-season, and the changes the team had to make in order to be ready for them tonight.
"We have worked hard on our transition defense because Denver had beaten us twice when we did not have transition defense." O'Neal said. "Rick and the coaching staff continue to do a great job in preparing us to play hard, work together and help win the game."
O'Neal knows that tonight's win was only the first of many steps to obtain the real goal this season.
"I must play well each and every game and try to take my game to the next level not for an individual accomplishment, but to help this team go to the next level and move in the direction of a championship. That is, and always will be, my first goal."
Ron Artest scored 18 points and 6 assists, as his defensive skills held the Nuggets' Anthony in check all evening. Al Harrington followed up another great game with 11 points off the bench.
Tonight's game saw the return of Reggie Miller to the lineup. Miller, who sat out Saturday night's game against the Hawks, scored 8 points.
For the second game in a row, Anthony Johnson backed up Kenny Anderson at the point position, which have some wonder whether or not Jamaal Tinsley's days as a Pacer numbered. Also, Jeff Foster has been starting the past several games at center over Scot Pollard.
But for the time being, Carlisle is still trying to figure out the right formula that will put the Pacers on track to where they want to be this year.
Kenny Anderson knows that it's still early this season, but for now the Pacers are pointed in the right direction.
"Four games is not a season. 3-1 is a good start, but we have a long way to go. It’s a long season. We played good team defense tonight and helped each other out. A win is a win. You win on the right side of the ledger, and we will get better as time goes on. We’re working hard."
The Pacers will have to bring their "A" game on Thursday, as they travel to the Continental Airlines Arena to face the three-time defending Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets.
The Nets armed themselves this past off-season by obtaining Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning, in hopes to finally get over the hump and win the NBA title this year. However, the Nets will be coming into this game without one of its' leaders in Kenyon Martin, who injured his ankle last week against the T-Wolves. It's possible that Martin could be in the lineup that night, but highly doubtful.
Gametime is at 7pm (EST)
By Johnnie Clay - Pacers Insider
November 4, 2003 11:15pm.
In a game that on paper looked like another showcase for Nuggets rookie Carmelo Anthony, quickly turned into a clinic on how to defend the young superstar, as the Pacers held the Nuggets to only 7 third quarter points, on their way to a convincing 71-60 victory at Conseco Fieldhouse this evening.
Anthony, who many think could be the real Rookie of the Year instead of Cleveland's Lebron James, was 1-13 from the field tonight, scoring only 2 points. Ron Artest guarded the young man like a blanket, smothering him at all times. When able to get a shot off, Anthony never found his range the whole evening.
"Carmelo has great talent, and it was just one of those nights. Nothing was falling, and he struggled." Said Pacers Guard Kenny Anderson. "There will be another night, and I’m sure that he’ll work to get himself back in the flow."
The Pacers were definately in the flow of things tonight, holding the Nuggets to only 10 points in the first quarter, then literally shutting them out in third quarter with the franchise record 7 points allowed. Overall, the Nuggets were held to 29 percent shooting this evening.
Had it not been for the Nuggets' Earl Boykins scoring 16 points (he only scored 2 points the rest of the game) alone in the second quarter, the outcome could've been a lot worse.
Pacers' Coach Rick Carlisle was proud of his teams' performance this evening.
"Other than the Detroit game, it was our best sustained defensive effort. You’ll get games like this when neither team can put it in the basket - some nights are like this. Jermaine O’Neal played a spectacular game. Every big shot, every big rebound, he was the key guy. I thought Al Harrington played great early, but then he got in foul trouble. Jeff Foster again stepped up and did some things and the dirty work aspect of the game."
The star for the Pacers tonight was All-Star Jermaine O'Neal, who put up another amazing performance, scoring 25 points and 20 rebounds. O'Neal remembered how Denver defeated the Pacers a few weeks ago during the pre-season, and the changes the team had to make in order to be ready for them tonight.
"We have worked hard on our transition defense because Denver had beaten us twice when we did not have transition defense." O'Neal said. "Rick and the coaching staff continue to do a great job in preparing us to play hard, work together and help win the game."
O'Neal knows that tonight's win was only the first of many steps to obtain the real goal this season.
"I must play well each and every game and try to take my game to the next level not for an individual accomplishment, but to help this team go to the next level and move in the direction of a championship. That is, and always will be, my first goal."
Ron Artest scored 18 points and 6 assists, as his defensive skills held the Nuggets' Anthony in check all evening. Al Harrington followed up another great game with 11 points off the bench.
Tonight's game saw the return of Reggie Miller to the lineup. Miller, who sat out Saturday night's game against the Hawks, scored 8 points.
For the second game in a row, Anthony Johnson backed up Kenny Anderson at the point position, which have some wonder whether or not Jamaal Tinsley's days as a Pacer numbered. Also, Jeff Foster has been starting the past several games at center over Scot Pollard.
But for the time being, Carlisle is still trying to figure out the right formula that will put the Pacers on track to where they want to be this year.
Kenny Anderson knows that it's still early this season, but for now the Pacers are pointed in the right direction.
"Four games is not a season. 3-1 is a good start, but we have a long way to go. It’s a long season. We played good team defense tonight and helped each other out. A win is a win. You win on the right side of the ledger, and we will get better as time goes on. We’re working hard."
The Pacers will have to bring their "A" game on Thursday, as they travel to the Continental Airlines Arena to face the three-time defending Eastern Conference Champion New Jersey Nets.
The Nets armed themselves this past off-season by obtaining Miami Heat center Alonzo Mourning, in hopes to finally get over the hump and win the NBA title this year. However, the Nets will be coming into this game without one of its' leaders in Kenyon Martin, who injured his ankle last week against the T-Wolves. It's possible that Martin could be in the lineup that night, but highly doubtful.
Gametime is at 7pm (EST)