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The Nuggets have been playing great basketball lately. Their latest win, a 107-105 win against the playoff hopeful Hornets, has increased their current win streak to 8 games. It looks like the AI trade is really starting to pay dividends.

Now it seems like the Nuggets can do something in the playoffs. They look like the hottest team in the western conference. If you look at the win streak, and you see that 6 of the 8 wins have come against teams that are still alive in the western conference playoff race. It is not like they are playing the cellar dwellers.

The first round playoff match-up will be interesting. It will either be the Spurs or Suns. Right now (as I write this post) the Spurs are one game back of the Suns of the 2 spot. Looking at the remaining schedule, I am banking on the Suns dropping to the 3 seed and facing the Nuggets. The Suns have 4 playoff teams on their schedule remaining, while the Spurs have 2 (but Dallas may be benching all their stars, so more like 1).

Looking at the match-up Suns vs Nuggets, you see the same style . Both teams like to run the floor, and we may see games in the 130's. The Nuggets were 1-2 against the Suns this season, but you almost have to discredit those games earlier in the season. The Nuggets team of late has been a different team, literally, and figuratively. I wouldn't say the Suns are peaking this time of year. They aren't playing terrible, but aren't playing their best either.

I think that the scoring of Iverson and Anthony can keep up with the high flying Suns. The big key to this match-up will be Camby vs Stoudemire. Marcus Camby does lead the league in blocks, and is the only player on either team that makes their living on the defense end. Will he neutralize Stoudemire? I feel that will be the for a trip to the next round. Each team has the playmakers, each team has the shooters, but i think the defense presence that Camby brings may be the key to advance.

Now the part that everyone cares about, what players to buy. Let's evaluate player by player:

Iverson: current price-$203.53
current earnings-$153.74

Not much to be made here. Iverson
is expected to make about that much, maybe just a tad less. Iverson does save his best for the playoffs, but I don't think he could earn enough over $203 for anyone to buy.

Anthony: current price-$198.89
current earnings-$148.27

See Iverson, but exclude the saving his best for the playoffs.

Camby: current price-$199.20
current earnings-$182.41

Camby may be worth a look. He has been one of the most important parts of this recent winning streak. He can easily average 15 points and 10 rebounds per game for here on out (maybe more if they play the Suns). His shooting percentage is pretty high, and he gets those blocks also. I could see him surpassing his current price down the road, but i would put him on the watch list for now.

Nene: current price-$98.59
current earnings-$96.31

Nene is a great buy. With his game today, Nene will be within a dollar of his price. His minutes seem to be increasing with every game. His earnings will pass his current price by the end of the season (or week) and he will have plenty of playoff games to add to it. Great Buy!

Kleiza: current price-$63.05
current earnings-$63.62

Kleiza is the best buy on the Nuggets, and one of the best buys on the market. His earnings has surpassed his price already, with about 10 total games to play this season, at least. A lot of the playoff buys you find are from teams that will sneak in and get swept. The Nuggets won't be that kind of team. Kleiza may be the Nuggets best spot shooter, which are useful in close playoff games.

DerMarr Johnson: current price-$19.87
current earnings-$14.78

Johnson is one of the best shorts on Protrade, reason being, he doesn't play. He hasn't played in the month of April, and guess what, the Nuggets haven't lost in the month of April. Don't expect him to get any more time in the playoffs. He is a 25% short right now, so take advantage.

Recap: Great, must buys: Nene, Kleiza
Great, must shorts: D. Johnson
Worth a look: Camby, Blake
No action: Iverson, Anthony

Give me some feedback! Agree or disagree with my projections? Was it helpful? Did it bring anything into the limelight that needed to be? Did you like it?

Looking at the remaining schedule, I am banking on the Suns dropping to the 3 seed and facing the Nuggets. NO SIR! but Camby vs Amare would be a good match-up. I like your post. cheche23 Apr 13 2007 10:48 PM PDT |

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I like the Nuggets. I really do. Against the Spurs though, not against the Suns. The Suns are "too fast" for Camby to be any factor defensively. And in a close game his free throw shooting could play a key factor. I would actually see Nene getting the better deal for your dollar against the "SUNS". For he is a stronger, younger, more offensive presence for the Nuggets. Let's not start with Camby's knees in a running contest with Phoenix. Now against the Spurs it's the opposite. Nene will factor little offensively against the def. of Duncan, and Camby will reap the benefits of PT$ to be made because he is a half-court player. And the Spurs are the best half-court team in the league. It would play right into Denver's hands. I don't give them the greatest chance to win. But I give them a better chance against the Spurs that I do the Suns. juice_1212 Apr 13 2007 11:22 PM PDT |

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I think Nene is a better buy than Kleiza. Just my opinion, but I looked at recent games, and Kleiza isnt playing all that much. I bet his minutes fall in the playoffs? Just a observation, both are near their earnings. Dutchman1970 Apr 14 2007 01:03 AM PDT |

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I love Carmelo and AI but they will lose to whoever they play in 6 or 7 games. It will be a good series, but NASH owns Iverson when they play and The Spurs have too much experience. Either series will be a test, but I don't see the Nuggets beating either of them. Great post and I agree with the buying of Kleiza and NENE. I also have DeMarr Johnson shorted. dmgeist Apr 14 2007 04:42 AM PDT |

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I think Blake is a good buy as well. He is getting more Pt of late, shooting very well and both the Spurs and suns have great point gaurds that they will not want AI to chase all over the floor. So Blake will be on the court more then Kleiza whose PT is down with the return of Najera. ogallalabob Apr 14 2007 06:19 AM PDT |

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I like Denver's upside as an NBA stock and Kleiza is all profit from here out Great post section128drunk Apr 14 2007 08:08 AM PDT |

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This is a great post. Its exactly what you say it is in the title, with no BS. Thank you. thesaxonvigilante Apr 14 2007 08:50 AM PDT |

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juice, I kind of disagree with you. I don't think any team is too fast for the Nuggets. They push the rock more than 95% of the team this season. Camby has kept it up so far, why shouldn't I think he can keep it up? bballchris4444 Apr 14 2007 09:25 AM PDT |

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I live in Colorado, and get to watch this team all the time. On Nene, this kid is a beast. He has lost all kinds of weight and has muscled up. Look for him to get better. DJ...Dermarr....I'd pass just like Karl does night in and out, Short him. Kleiza is streaky, but his price will skyrocket if he drops another 20. Good buy as well. BballChris, Good Call. ztrain300 Apr 14 2007 11:22 AM PDT |

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Good post, Im buying kleiza, and hilario. Those are nothing but money gainers. Madgear Apr 14 2007 01:10 PM PDT |

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great post. your advice will be helpful, but I have to say that it is starting to look like the suns will play well enough to stay at the #2 seed, so i would count on playing the spurs. bballboy Apr 14 2007 01:40 PM PDT |

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NENE definetly a good buy... buy I don't see the nuggets going anywhere in the west. I think that although the suns and Mavs are probably going to get the 1 & 2... I'm putting all my money on the money makin spurs... Spurs over Pistons in finals. 4-2 kujayhawks2313 Apr 14 2007 02:42 PM PDT |

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Great post but Denver are easily going to be eliminated in the first round, I doubt they will carry their firepower from the regualar season into the playoffs. Facts don't lie, over the last couple of years since Melo was around the Nuggets never made it past the first round and once again they will choke in the playoffs. nba93 Apr 14 2007 06:53 PM PDT |

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Ouch! Can not the clinic give you a creme or pill to help with your red hot nuggets? *giggles* Ewa sergibo44 Apr 15 2007 11:26 AM PDT |

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great post goon Apr 15 2007 01:15 PM PDT |

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