Nuggets 90, Bulls 89

After losing twice last week and finally getting JR Smith back, Denver (6-2) did just enough to beat the scrappy Bulls (4-3).  Luckily this game was on NBAtv so I was able to watch it.  Defense was a big part of this game limiting both teams to under 45% shooting from the field.  Chicago did a good job bringing help defenders towards Carmelo Anthony.  He finished the game with 20 points on 8-22 shooting, while committing 4 turnovers.  Kenyon Martin and Nene both finished with double-doubles in a game where they were constantly challenged by Joakim Noah.

Noah, the third year player for the Bulls, scored 12 points and pulled down 21 rebounds.  No, that was not a typo.  21 rebounds! In an interview with NBAtv last week Noah talked about how he dedicated himself this past summer to the weight room and it has shown.  Derrick Rose and Luol Deng both put in 20 plus points to keep the Bulls in the game.

To the Bulls credit they really picked up the defense in the 4th quarter.  They held Denver to 19 points and forced Melo to make some very tough shots.  Melo was able to get to the line and knock down 2 free throws in the final minute to put the Nuggets up 88-86.  Rose answered by hitting two freethrows of his own with 10 seconds left in the game to tie the game up at 88.  Chicago was determine to prevent Melo from taking the game winning shot.  Who do you think the Nuggets turned to?  That’s right Mr. Bigshot himself, Chauncey Billups.

After a timeout Billups caught the ball outside the arc with 5 seconds left.  He caught the ball, took a jab, and unlike a lot of last second shots we have seen this season (cue Kevin Durant’s 30 foot airball in the final seconds of regulation in the Thundercats overtime loss to the Lakers), Billups attacked the basket.  He was fouled by Kirk Hinrich with 0.6 seconds to go.  Billups calmly hit the first shot, and in a heads up move missed the second free throw.  The Bulls called a timeout with 0.3 seconds left and Coach Vinny Del Negro drew up an amazing play.  He had Rose come off of a back screen leaving the screener, Brad Miller wide open.  Miller tried to catch and shoot as fast as he could swishing the shot at the buzzer.

At first, the referees signaled a basket as the crowd erupted in cheers.  After taking their time and reviewing the shot, the refs ruled that it was not good, giving Denver a hard fought one point victory in Chicago.  It was a very hard review but in my opinion the overhead view showed the best evidence.  When the red light on top the basket went off you could see that the ball was still barely on his fingertips.

JB’s Hustle Hero of the Game: Joakim Noah. Hands down.  This dude came to play.  Going up against Nene, K-Mart, and the Bird (Chris Andersen), Noah fought hard on both the offense and defensive ends.  He grabbed 21 rebounds including 6 offensive boards.  He aslo scored 12 points and blocked two shots.  If he continues to play like this the Bulls will be even harder to beat.

-JB