Nuggets 116, Jazz 102 (Jazz lead 3-2)

When Nene went down in the second quarter and Kenyon Martin banged up, I was nervous for the Devner Nuggets.  Instead Martin but his knee troubles behind him to score 18 points and grab 9 rebounds.  Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 26 points and worked hard to make it to the line.  Chauncey Billups added 21 and J.R. Smith finally had the game Nuggets fans have been waiting for.  Smith hit four of five threes, finishing with 17 points.

Although they lost, Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer did not go down without a fight.  Williams scorched the Nuggets for 34 points and 10 assists.  Boozer added 25 points and 16 rebounds and seemed to flourish after Nene went out.  These two guys are on the top of their game, and now with Nene possibly out for game six, the Nuggets have no one to guard either Williams or Boozer.  It will be extremely hard to the Nuggets to win, especially in Utah, if the do not have an answer to Williams and Boozer.

Here is what you need to know about this series after game five:

1.  Melo needs help. He got it tonight, but in order for the Nuggets to win they will need stellar play from Billups, Nene (if he is back), and Mr. X-Factor, J.R. Smith.

2.  ”No Nene” = “Big Problem.” Nuggets have other big men, but if Nene cannot go game six, they will be in trouble.  Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap are two of the best undersized power forwards in the game and will put up big numbers in Nene’s absence.

3.  Will Utah Handle Business? All signs point that they will.  The EnergySolutions Arena an extremely difficult place to play, and in the playoffs that difficulty is only multiplied.  If the Nuggets want any chance to win this game and bring the series back to Denver, they will have to start strong and end strong.

-JB