SB Nation Denver - Celtics Vs. Nuggets: Denver Holds Off Boston Comeback, Wins 98-91https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2012-03-18T13:58:06-06:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/26104382012-03-18T13:58:06-06:002012-03-18T13:58:06-06:00NBA Standings 2012: Denver Nuggets Are 7th In Western Conference Standings
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> shook things up on Thursday afternoon just minutes before the trade deadline passed with a three-team trade that sent veteran center Nene to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/">Washington Wizards</a> and brought back 24-year old 7-footer JaVale McGee. Some saw trading Nene as a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bulletsforever.com/2012/3/16/2876807/nene-trade-javale-mcgee-wizards-nuggets">curious move</a> for Denver, but the Nuggets clearly had second-thoughts about the $65 million contract they gave the oft-injured center this offseason.</p>
<p>Even so, the Nuggets are playing good basketball lately. Denver is 7-3 in its last 10 games, and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/2012/3/17/2881439/irish-eyes-arent-smiling-celtics-comeback-falls-short-in-denver">defeated</a> the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> on Saturday. Denver heads into next week at 25-20 overall and in seventh place in the Western Conference playoff standings. The Nuggets are 8.5 games behind the first place <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, and have a one game lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a>, who sit in the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.</p>
<p><i>For analysis, news and info, visit</i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/"><i></i></a><i> Nuggets blog <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a>. </i><i>For more updates, stay with <a href="http://www.denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/3/18/2882632/2012-nba-standings-denver-nuggetsRicky O'Donnell2012-03-18T07:00:35-06:002012-03-18T07:00:35-06:00VIDEO: Danilo Gallinari Nimbly Saves Pass, Makes No-Look, Behind-Back Assist
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<p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> forward <span>Danilo Gallinari</span> has been impressive this season for the Nuggets, but for most of February he was sidelined due to injury. He's been back for several games already and is playing at great level, as evidenced in the play seen below:</p>
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<p><span>Andre Miller</span> makes a bad pass, but Gallo is able to get to the baseline, save the ball by tiptoeing on the line and making his way out to the wing. But not done with the play, he then passes the ball without looking in the intended direction and from behind his back. <span>Kenneth Faried</span> picks up the pass and drops it into the bucket for two points.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/3/18/2881504/danilo-gallinari-pass-kenneth-faried-videoRuss Oates2012-03-17T21:50:18-06:002012-03-17T21:50:18-06:00Nuggets Vs. Celtics Final Score: Double-Double From Kenneth Faried Helps Denver Win 98-91
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> (25-20) grabbed their first win without C <span>Nene</span>, beating the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> (23-21) in a 98-91 win.</p>
<p>F <span>Kenneth Faried</span> proved perfect from the free throw line with an 8 for 8 effort, proved dominant on the paint with 16 rebounds and proved dangerous on offense with 18 points. SG <span>Arron Afflalo</span> (15 PTS), SF <span>Danilo Gallinari</span> (20 PTS) and PF <span>Al Harrington</span> (11 PTS) all crossed in double digits for the Nuggets as well as the Denver offense shot for a combined 45.9 percentage.</p>
<p>As a whole, the team out-rebounded the Celtics with 46 boards to the Nuggets' 27 in an otherwise sloppy contest featuring a combined 35 turnovers. The Nuggets had a 14-point lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but the Celtics staged a furious comeback and were able to bring the game to 94-91 with under a minute remaining. Steady free throw shooting from Faried and PG <span>Ty Lawson</span> sealed it, though, and Denver won 98-91.</p>
<p>The Nuggets will be back in action on Monday evening, hosting the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/">Dallas Mavericks</a> at the Pepsi Center.</p>
<p><i>For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/"><i>Celtics Blog</i></a><i> and Nuggets blog <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a>. </i><i>For more updates, stay with <a href="http://www.denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/3/17/2881458/nuggets-vs-celtics-final-scoreBradley Woodrum2012-03-17T20:26:27-06:002012-03-17T20:26:27-06:00Nuggets Vs. Celtics Score Update: Denver Leads 55-42 At Halftime
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> lead the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a> 55-42 after the first periods, looking for their first win following the C <span>Nene</span> trade.</p>
<p>The Nuggets are still without C <span>JaVale McGee</span>, whom they received in the Nene trade, but have found some success on the shoulders of All-Star SF <span>Danilo Gallinari</span> (15 PTS, 3 AST, 2 REB) and F <span>Kenneth Faried</span> (8 PTS, 11 REB, 1 BLK). The Nuggets have more than doubled the Celtics in rebounds (28 to 12) and have proved clutch in three point attempts, hitting 45.5% from beyond the arc.</p>
<p>PF <span>Kevin Garnett</span> (10 PTS, 5 REB), PF <span>Paul Pierce</span> (10 PTS, 2 REB) and PR <span>Rajon Rondo</span> (4 PTS, 10 AST) have all hit double digits for the Celtics, but they will need to prove much better on defense in order to pull off a St. Patrick's Day win in the second half.</p>
<p><i>For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit </i><a href="http://www.celticsblog.com/" target="_blank"><i>Celtics Blog</i></a><i> and Nuggets blog <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a>. </i><i>For more updates, stay with <a href="http://www.denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/3/17/2881343/nuggets-vs-celtics-score-updateBradley Woodrum2012-03-17T18:54:32-06:002012-03-17T18:54:32-06:00Celtics Vs. Nuggets: JaVale McGee Out For Denver Vs. Boston
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> must wait another game for <span>JaVale McGee</span> to make his debut for the team. The team announced shortly before tip-off that <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/#!/denvernuggets/status/181175183518871552">McGee would not play in the game</a>:</p>
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<p>No <a class=" twitter-atreply pretty-link" data-screen-name="JaValeMcGee34" href="https://twitter.com/#%21/JaValeMcGee34" rel="nofollow">@<b>JaValeMcGee34</b></a> for the <a href="https://twitter.com/#%21/search/%23Nuggets" title="#Nuggets" class=" twitter-hashtag pretty-link" data-query-source="hashtag_click"><s>#</s><b>Nuggets</b></a> tonight against Boston. Coach <span>George Karl</span> hoping to get him some practice time Sunday.</p>
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<p>The Nuggets will be without McGee until the other players involved in the trade (<span>Nick Young</span>, Nene and <span>Ronny Turiaf</span>) all complete their physicals. McGee has already passed his with the Nuggets. This will leave the Nuggets short a man once again, as the team played on Thursday just hours after the trade.</p>
<p>McGee is expected to be in the starting lineup once he is able to play.</p>
<p><i>For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/"><i>Celtics Blog</i></a><i> and Nuggets blog <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a>. </i><i>For more updates, stay with <a href="http://www.denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/3/17/2881194/javale-mcgee-nuggets-vs-celticsRuss Oates2012-03-17T08:49:07-06:002012-03-17T08:49:07-06:00Celtics Vs. Nuggets Preview: JaVale McGee May Make His Debut On Saturday
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<p>The <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a> (24-20, 13-11 home) take on the <a href="https://www.celticsblog.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Celtics</a> (23-20, 7-12 away) at the Pepsi Center on Saturday night, and they will be hoping for a much better result than their 103-90 loss to the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> on Thursday. Against OKC, a 14-point third quarter and 5-22 shooting from beyond the arc doomed Denver, but now they may get their first chance to integrate <span>JaVale McGee</span> into the system on Saturday. </p>
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<p>McGee will indeed wear No. 34 for <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Nuggets">#Nuggets</a>. Had his physical today. Unclear if he'll play Sat. Have to wait for all physicals.</p>
— Benjamin Hochman (@nuggetsnews) <a data-datetime="2012-03-16T18:50:33+00:00" href="https://twitter.com/nuggetsnews/status/180727773365669892">March 16, 2012</a>
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<p>McGee came over in the Nene trade with the <a href="https://www.bulletsforever.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Wizards</a>, and he brings with him a reputation of flaky play, lapses in judgment and eye-popping athleticism. He could debut in a Nuggets uniform against the Celtics, but <a target="_blank" href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/2012/3/16/2878242/nuggets-trade-analysis-the-bright-side-of-salary-dump">the organization's eye is still on the bigger picture</a>, as noted by Jeffrey Morton at Denver Stiffs:</p>
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<p>McGee <i>could</i> pan out as a low-cost little-risk move for the Nuggets. My surprise with the signing of JaVale McGee (expressed yesterday) was he is not an upgrade over Nene, and with a history of knucklehead syndrome and, at times, hilariously low basketball IQ it didn't seem to make sense. Yet, if you look at it closely ... I firmly believe that the trade for McGee is more about this next off-season than it is about the player. Adding an asset that can be either kept or used in a sign-and-trade. Add to that the large amount of cap space the Nuggets cleared with Nene and <span>Andre Miller</span> (presumably) coming off the books ($20 million) and the low-cost signing of <span>Wilson Chandler</span> (5 years and in excess of $30 million - with a team option on the fifth season) and you have a veritable pu pu platter of trade-able assets that can be moved for something even bigger. </p>
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<p>Meanwhile, Celtics captain <span>Paul Pierce</span> sprained his ankle against the <a href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sacramento Kings</a> and will be a game-time decision against Denver.</p>
<p>Here is some information to help you find the game:</p>
<p><b>Game date/time: </b>7:00 p.m. MT, Saturday, March 17, 2012</p>
<p><b>Location: </b>Pepsi Center, Denver, CO</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>Altitude</p>
<p><i>For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit </i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.celticsblog.com/"><i>Celtics Blog</i></a><i> and Nuggets blog <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a>. </i><i>For more updates, stay with <a href="http://www.denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a></i><i>.</i></p>
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https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/3/17/2880023/celtics-vs-nuggets-preview-javale-mcgee-debutSteve von Horn2012-03-15T21:26:59-06:002012-03-15T21:26:59-06:00Nuggets Vs. Thunder Final Score: Oklahoma City Runs Away From Undermanned Denver Squad
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> - playing without the recently shipped off Nene for the first time - hung tight with the Western Conference-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> through the first half on Thursday night, but the Thunder ran away in the third quarter and defeated Denver 103-90.</p>
<p><span>Timofey Mozgov</span> started in Nene's place (newly-acquired JaVale McGee should be ready for the Nuggets next game), but finished with just two points in 12 minutes. <span>Andre Miller</span> came off the bench to lead Denver's scoring efforts with 17 points, and <span>Danilo Gallinari</span> added 15 of his own. </p>
<p>Unsurprisingly, <span>Kevin Durant</span> 24 and <span>Russell Westbrook</span> 23, paced the Thunder in scoring. </p>
<p>Denver (24-20) will next play on Saturday, when they host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.celticsblog.com/">Boston Celtics</a>.</p>
<p><b><i>For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Thunder blog <a href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>and Nuggets blog <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a>. </i><i>For more updates, stay with <a href="http://www.denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a></i><i>.</i></b></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/3/15/2876661/nuggets-thunder-final-score-nba-danilo-gallinari-kevin-durantField Yates2012-03-15T20:12:52-06:002012-03-15T20:12:52-06:00Nuggets Vs. Thunder Score Update: Denver Holds Slim Lead At Half
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<p>Taking on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> is a tall enough order in and of itself, and doing it with a shortened bench is no easy task. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a> look up to it on Thursday night, however, as they lead the Thunder 51-50 at halftime. </p>
<p>Denver is of course playing without Nene, whom was dealt to Washington just minutes before the trade deadline on Thursday in exchange for center JaVale McGee. McGee isn't yet available for duty, so <span>Timofey Mozgov</span> found himself in the starting lineup. </p>
<p><span>Danilo Gallinari</span> paced the Nuggets with 13 points, and Denver was able to reasonably contain Oklahoma City's duo of <span>Kevin Durant</span> and <span>Russell Westbrook</span>, which has combined for just 22 first half points.</p>
<p><b><i>For analysis, news and info on these two teams, visit Thunder blog <a href="http://welcometoloudcity.com/">Welcome To Loud City</a>and Nuggets blog <a href="http://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Stiffs</a>. </i><i>For more updates, stay with <a href="http://www.denver.sbnation.com/">SB Nation Denver</a>. For news and notes around the league, head over to SB Nation's <a href="http://sbnation.com/nba">NBA news hub</a></i><i>.</i></b></p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2012/3/15/2876489/nuggets-thunder-halftime-score-update-danilo-gallinariField Yates