Time for Nuggets to respond

The Nuggets have been drummed out of the playoffs three years running by 4-1 opening-series mismatches. Will this year be different? NBA writer Marc J. Spears breaks down the key questions the Nuggets need to answer to surprise the heavily favored San Antonio Spurs starting in Game 1 on Sunday in San Antonio.

KEY QUESTIONS

Iverson, Anthony await answers

Denver Post staff writer Marc J. Spears breaks down the big questions surrounding the Nuggets heading into their playoff series against San Antonio.

1. Can Nuggets guard Allen Iverson take his game to another level in the postseason?

When the Nuggets acquired Iverson on Dec. 19, it gave the franchise hope it could become a championship-caliber team. Coming down the stretch, "The Answer" delivered, helping Denver gain a playoff berth. Iverson has been money in the postseason, averaging 30.6 points, 6.1 assists and 2.1 steals in 62 games for Philadelphia. He led the 76ers to the 2001 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers. Iverson also is rested going into this series.

2. Will the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony fare better this time around against the Spurs' Bruce Bowen?

Bowen hassled Anthony two years ago in the playoffs, holding him to 42.2 percent shooting from the field. Anthony is more confident and more polished this time. He averaged 28.9 points during the regular season, the third-highest average by a Nuggets player since Denver entered the NBA in 1976. However, in his lone appearance against the Spurs, on Jan. 10, he was held to 15 points. Bowen is a three-time all-NBA defensive first-team selection, who again will get strong consideration for the league's defensive player of the year award.

3. Can Nuggets forward-center Nene slow down Spurs star Tim Duncan?

Can anyone except referee Joey Crawford? Duncan again is a strong MVP candidate, having averaged 20 points and 10.6 rebounds. He's even
Fans will see A.I. at his best. (Post / Karl Gehring)
better in the postseason, in which he has averaged 25.8 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 118 games. The 6-foot-11, 260-pound Nene has played well in the second half of the season, but dealing with Duncan is another matter altogether. Why Nene over NBA defensive player of the year candidate Marcus Camby? Because he has the bulk to help him better deal with Duncan and has at times showed he can hold his own against the league's best, including the likes of MVP candidate Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas. Camby also can roam a little more when not guarding Duncan.

4. Will the fast-breaking Nuggets be able to run against the stingy Spurs?

Probably not, based on regular-season statistics. Going into the teams' season finale, San Antonio led the league in allowing just 90 points per game, and 44.2 percent field-goal shooting. The Spurs were 24-3 this season when holding teams between 80 and 89 points, which figures to be where they'll try to keep the Nuggets. San Antonio knows how much the Nuggets struggle when they don't score 100 or more points. Discounting Wednesday's meaningless finale, San Antonio clamped down in two regular-season wins over Denver, holding the Nuggets to an average of 81.5 points.

5. Can the Nuggets keep Spurs guards Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili from driving to the lane?

The Spurs have manhandled the Nuggets in part because Parker and Ginobili seem to be able to get into the lane any time they want. Doing so allows them to get easy shots or set up their teammates. Denver's best bet to stop the drives could be using more zone sets to help out Nuggets guards Allen Iverson and Steve Blake with difficult matchups. If the Nuggets stay in a man defense, will seldom-used defensive specialist guard Yakhouba Diawara get more playing time?