Western Conference Showdown – Denver vs. New Orleans

Western Conference Playoff Series

Denver Nuggets (54-28 SU, 45-36-1 ATS) vs. New Orleans Hornets (49-33 SU, 35-45-2 ATS)

BetOnline NBA Playoff Betting Odds

To Win Series

Denver Nuggets -240

New Orleans Hornets +190

Schedule

Game 1 — April 19, New Orleans at Denver, 10:30 p.m.

Game 2 — April 22, New Orleans at Denver, 10:30 p.m.

Game 3 — April 25, Denver at New Orleans, 1 p.m.

Game 4 — April 27, Denver at New Orleans, TBD

Game 5* — April 29, New Orleans at Denver, TBD

Game 6* — May 1, Denver at New Orleans, TBD

Game 7* — May 3, New Orleans at Denver, TBD

You have to admit that despite losing 104-76 to Portland on the season’s final day, the Denver Nuggets carry some momentum into this playoff series. Denver won nine of its last 11 games, and established itself as the Northwest Division champs, and obviously most of that has to be traced back to the acquisition of Chauncey Billups in the deal with Detroit that sent Allen Iverson over to the Pistons. When Iverson came to Denver and a team with Carmelo Anthony, one had to wonder whether it would make things difficult to distribute the ball on offense. Indeed, it is hard to coordinate an attack where both guys need the ball badly. Fortunately, Billups, whose assist-turnover ratio was close to 3-to-1, knows how to make the ball available for everybody. He found time to score too, averaging almost 18 points and shooting 41% from beyond the three-point arc.

Denver has some depth, and that is the thing that can give them a real edge over New Orleans. There are a lot of guys who can come off the bench and score, and they’ve also got journeyman Chris Andersen, who is angling to make a lot of money as he is providing instant defense, with 2.5 blocked shots per game.

The only thing that really has to have you worried about Denver, however, aside from the fact that the Lakers are ultimately going to be standing in their path, is that George Karl has had a history of getting teams only so far, but failing when the going gets really tough. They were almost non-competitive when getting swept by Los Angeles last year, although Billups possibly makes this thing a different ballgame.

New Orleans looked like the team of the future after barely missing out on a trip to the West finals last season, as San Antonio came from behind to win. The Hornets are not quite as formidable on the road this time around, nor do they cash in for their backers (16-24-1 ATS as a visitor). They acquired James Posey as a way to add some depth, and he is back in the rotation, along with Tyson Chandler. But if these guys have to deal with injury problems, New Orleans does not have a lot of guys to turn to.

Denver has to worry not only about Chris Paul penetrating and dishing out to the likes of Peja Stojakovic (who has dealt with quite a few injuries himself), but also about defending him all the way to the hoop. Paul averages 5.5 rebounds a game.

Stojakovic is major question mark, though; he’s scored only 26 points in his last four games. We like the firepower Denver brings to the table, and we don’t think the price is that daunting either, considering the home court advantage and Denver’s record at the Pepsi Center (33-8 SU).

JAY’S PREDICITION: NUGGETS (-240) IN SEVEN GAMES