Kings-Nuggets PBP thread for April 15

[VF21]

Welcome, fellow Kings fans!

It's getting close. As Adelman was quoted as saying in Davidson's article today, it's "win or go home." I have faith in this team and a win tonight would certainly take some of the pressure off.

Here's what the Bee has to say about tonight's matchup:

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/14243738p-15062451c.html

KINGS UPDATE
Status: The Kings were left spinning a bit after letting a 17-point halftime lead against Phoenix on Tuesday morph into a 123-110 loss that felt like a rout, with the Suns shooting 71 percent in the second half. The Kings played some of their best ball in recent weeks on the road, downing San Antonio and the Los Angeles Clippers, both playoff teams. It will be curious to see how the club responds in the Mile High City today with the Kings leading the season series 2-1 and needing it to be 3-1 in the worst way.

Trend: Defense was the catchphrase in downing the Spurs and Clippers, but it was a foreign, dirty word in the second half Tuesday. The health of Ron Artest is paramount, with the forward playing with a sore right thumb. He'll likely draw Carmelo Anthony, who is having a banner season in averaging 26.7 points.

Injury report: None.

NUGGETS UPDATE
Status: Denver is basking in its first division title since the 1987-88 season, though there is concern over injuries. Kenyon Martin has missed four games with a sore knee, and Marcus Camby has been slowed by a bad back. Those players went for 21 points and 11 rebounds and 12 and 13, respectively, in a seven-point loss to the Kings on Jan. 31, when Artest went for 19 points in his first home game as a King.

Trend: When this team is complete, when all the pieces are together, it's a dangerous bunch, starting with Anthony, who has more career game-winners than the more hyped LeBron James. Martin and Camby have given the Kings fits before, and coach George Karl said Friday morning he expects both to play.

Injury report: Martin, knee, questionable.

LINEUPS
Kings - Bibby, Wells, Artest, KT and Brad Miller
Nuggets - Andre Miller, Buckner, Anthony, Elson, Camby

Best matchup: Camby vs. Miller -Miller didn't play in the last Denver meeting with a fractured thumb but he had a near triple double in a 101-85 Kings win in November. Camby is long and athletic and a rebounding machine.

We have a Miller on each team and a K. Martin. I'll probably resort to using first names for Andre and Brad during the PBP and Kevin and KM to differentiate between the players. I apologize ahead of time for any confusion you might encounter...

That bright thing in the sky for a couple of days was pretty interesting. I'm hoping it wasn't just a flash in the pan or some fad; I really think the idea of "sunlight" could catch on.



In the meantime, I'm back to splitting kindling and bringing in firewood. Coffee for tonight is Starbuck house blend with a touch of Coffemate Caramel Vanilla. Pretty good stuff!!

Let's think the GOOD thoughts.

GO KINGS!!!

 

[VF21]

Looking outside, it's almost like January out there. Cold, quite windy and very gloomy. Low clouds are really obscuring visibility. The latest from the weather service is it could get really ugly tonight with as much as 12 inches of snow falling by noon tomorrow at my elevation and up to three feet of new snow at the upper levels...

Very strange for April.

 

[kennadog]

Looking outside, it's almost like January out there. Cold, quite windy and very gloomy. Low clouds are really obscuring visibility. The latest from the weather service is it could get really ugly tonight with as much as 12 inches of snow falling by noon tomorrow at my elevation and up to three feet of new snow at the upper levels...

Very strange for April.

 

[VF21]

Koz and Tank having a little fun with the final "House Party Live" of the regular season. They only use the actual House Party set for away games, since Koz and Tank or Koz and Kara actually broadcast from the Arco concourse before home games...

Getting ready to switch over to Grant and Jerry up in Denver.

GO KINGS!!!

 

[VF21]

The wind is really starting to pick up outside and this could end up being a particularly nasty storm. If I disappear, it's because of the weather... but I'm hopeful Mother Nature will hold back long enough to let me do the last away PBP.

 

[VF21]

They showed an interview with Grant and Bonzi. Among other things, Bonzi said playing in Denver - or even walking around or sleeping in Denver - is tough because of his asthma. He said he'll be giving it his all but if he has to step out and have the coach "bring in the cavalry," he won't hesitate to do so...

 

[Mad D]

Did anyone see how the camera man was trying to avoid Koz when he started to dance behind the guest rapper during his freestyle.

 

[VF21]

This is the PBP thread, Mad D. You might want to post your question in the game discussion thread.

 

[VF21]

Kings - Bibby, Wells, Artest, KT and Brad
Nuggets - Andre, Patterson, Anthony, Elson, Camby

 

[VF21]

Ready for the tip.

Nugs get the tip.

Camby jumper no good; Elson almost gets the board but goes oob. Kings ball.

Bibby pass stolen by Patterson. Two points.

2-0 Den

 

[VF21]

Wells pass intended for Artest is intecepted. This time Anthony heads for the basket but is fouled by Miller. Clear path foul called.

Melo gets the freebie; Denver ball.

3-0 Den

11:00 left

Camby jumper no good; Artest board.

Artest drives inside, shot blocked by Camby. Ball oob. Still Kings ball.

Miller shot way off. Ball oob. Den ball.

...sigh...

 

[VF21]

Andre miss; Wells board.

Bibby jumper off the rim; Den board.

Elson miss; WElls board.

10:00 left

Kings and Denver shooting combined 1 of 8.

Miller pass to Bibby, who gets the jumper.

3-2 Den

 

[VF21]

Patterson turnover off good D by KT. Wells jumper over Camby good.

4-3 KINGS

9:00 left

Melo shot misses, foul called on Artest. 1PF.

Melo to the line. Makes both.

5-4 Den

 

[VF21]

Artest jumper off back of iron; Denver board.

Camby can't handle the ball, oob. Kings ball.

8:30 left

Artest...to Wells to cutting KT for two.

6-5 KINGS

Andre gets around Bibby, misses the layup. Teams going for the ball, Miller gets it, but he's shoved oob by Elson. Kings ball.

Artest jumper from top of the key over Elson.

8-5 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Camby jumper good.

8-7 KINGS

7:13 left

Bibby miss; KT board. Out to Bibby in the corner.

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!

11-7 KINGS

Patterson for two.

11-9 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Ball to KT on the elbow, passes inside to cutting Brad Miller, who draws foul.

Brad at the line - makes first; misses second. Camby pulls it in.

12-9 KINGS

6:25 left

Elson jumper no good; ARtest board.

 

[VF21]

KT one on one against Patterson, beats him off the dribble and gets the reverse lay-up.

14-9 KINGS

Denver shot blocked by MIller; Kings ball to Bibby on the breakaway.

Bibby for two.

16-9 KINGS

5:37 left

Time out and commercial.

 

[VF21]

Denver ball. Melo for two.

16-11 KINGS

Bibby pull-up jumper good.

18-11 KINGS

Denver miss; Artest board.

4:47 left

Kings ball, pass slapped away inside. Denver ball, but they turn it over at the other end.

Buckner and Kenyon into the game...

 

[VF21]

BIBBY FOR THREE!!!!!!!!!

21-11 KINGS

4:04 left

Andre for two.

21-13 KINGS

Bibby jumper over Melo doesn't go; Denver board.

Kenyon miss, but ball returns to him. Melo jumper good.

21-15 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Wells hook short; Denver ball.

Camby jumper way off; KT board.

Ball to Bibby, who is fouled by Camby.

Time out and commercial.

2:37 left

 

[VF21]

SAR in, quickly goes from the low post and gets two.

23-15 KINGS

SAR and Martin in for Arttest and Miller.

Denver miss; Kings board.

KT for two.

25-15 KINGS

Wells now covering Melo. Ball oob. Still Denver.

Good D by Wells forces bad shot by Melo. Kings ball.

SAR in the low post, bounce pass to cutting Wells is intercepted.

Denver ball.

Melo drives inside, Mike makes him go to the line to get the score.

 

[VF21]

Melo makes first; and second.

25-17 KINGS

Wells shot blocked by Kenyon, Bonzi fouls Kenyon.

Kenyon to the line for two.

54.7 seconds left.

Makes first; and second.

25-19 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Kenyon Martin called for reach-in foul. He starts to storm to the official but calms down. Kings ball, lost by Bonzi. Denver ball.

Kenyon wild shot misses; KT board.

Bibby pull-up doesn't go; SAR with the board but buzzer sounds.

25-19 KINGS

End of the first quarter.

 

[VF21]

Kings ball.

Hart, Martin, Artest, SAR and KT on the court.

Kevin airball from the side ... Denver board.

Denver miss; Kevin gets the board.

MARTIN for long two.

27-19 KINGS

Whooooooo!!!

 

[VF21]

KT called for reach-in foul on Kenyon. 1PF.

Kenyon at the line. Misses first; makes second.

27-20 KINGS

Hart misses from the baseline; Denver ball.

Ball oob; Still Denver.

Melo for two.

27-22 KINGS

Artest jumper miss; Denver board. No Kings ball movement at the moment.

Andre for two.

27-24 KINGS

 

[VF21]

SAR jumper for two.

29-24 KINGS

Eisley to the line on foul by Hart.

KT out; Brad in.

9:23 left

Makes first; Melo out. Makes second.

29-26 KINGS

Miller inside, tries for bucket but it's blocked.

Buckner miss; Kevin board.

Hart jumper good.

31-26 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Alley-oop intended for Patterson stolen by Martin. Hart turns it over at the other end.

Time out and commercial.

8:21 left

 

[VF21]

Denver ball.

Patterson to Kenyon for the dunk and the +1 from Brad.

bonus good.

31-29 KINGS

7:59 left

Hart jumper misses; Denver board.

Ball oob off Kings; still Denver ball.

Denver miss; Kevin tips the board to Hart.

Kings ball.

ARTEST FOR THREE!!!!!

34-29 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Brad called for third foul. Brad out; KT back in.

6:55 left

Eisley misses first; makes second.

34-30 KINGS

Hart inside, has lay-up blocked but gets the putback.

36-30 KINGS

Patterson for two.

36-32 KINGS

 

[VF21]

Bibby in for Hart.

Bibby for two.

38-32 KINGS

Andre for two.

38-34 KINGS

5:29 left

Bibby, Martin, Artest, SAR and KT on the court.

Artest miss but SAR with the putback.

40-34 KINGS