Melo carries Nuggets to 2-0 start
By John Livingston | October 30, 2009
The Nuggets stole a victory Thursday night against the Portland Trailblazers, winning 97-94 thanks to Carmelo Anthony’s 41 points. 19 of Melo’s points came in the 4th quarter as he willed his team down the stretch to a second straight victory and their first road victory of the year against a talented Trailblazer team.
The Nuggets had to fly out of snowy Denver Wednesday night after a late game and did not arrive in Portland until 4:00 a.m. This proved to certainly be an early test for the Nuggets, taking on the two contenders for the Nuggets division title in the first two nights of the season.
The effects of the back-to-back showed in the Nuggets offense early as they scored just 9 points int he first seven minutes of the game. It was clear Melo was ready to lead the team as he got off to a quick start by draining a three and converting on another jumper to collect 5 of the teams first 9 points. Melo finished the half strong and kept the team in the game offensively while the Trailblazers struggled shooting just 31% from the field in the first half. The Blazers jacked up 24 more shots in the half than the Nuggets and also did not allow a Nugget offensive rebound until the second half.
It was clear that the Nuggets big-guns would have to carry the team as Melo and Chauncey Billups were the only Nuggets to score in double digits. Rookie fan-favorite Ty Lawson clearly felt the effects of his first career NBA back-to-back, dropping just 7 points and dishing out only one assist. The Nuggets big men were also frequently in foul trouble, as Nene and Kenyon Martin eventually fouled out, and had difficulty blocking out and crashing the boards for rebounds.
After the Blazers Brandon Roy caught fire and finished with a buzzer beating three in the 3rd quarter, it seemed as though the Nuggets might not have enough in the tank to finish the 4th quarter strong. With Melo resting to start the 4th Billups kept the team close by hitting his shots and continually driving and drawing defensive contact and getting to the free throw line. Billups kept the team within 7 points when Melo checked back into the game to dominate. When Melo couldn’t square up his jumper he followed Billups lead by penetrating the lane and drawing contact. Melo went 18-19 from the free throw line and was able to ice the game once the Nuggets took the lead by hitting all of his free throw attempts late.
The Blazers struggled in the last few minuted to capitalize on their foul shots and Melo and the Nuggets made sure they took advantage. Up by just one point in the winding seconds of the 4th, Kenyon Martin fouled Greg Oden to send him to the line. Oden missed both foul shots and Melo boxed out and came down with a key rebound, one of his six in the game. Melo hit his last two free throws to put him at 41 points and this proved to be enough to get the Nuggets their second win in as many games.
It is clear the Nuggets are ready to battle and will not give up late in games even when it seems everything is against them. Melo has the talent and the heart of a MVP and NBA champion and as he said in the post game, the eye is on the light at the end of the tunnel, and the Nuggets want that golden ball.
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Time: October 30, 2009, 12:18 pm
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