Game 1, Round Deux Halftime Thoughts

• Dirk certainly started off hot, but if all he shoots is fallaways for the whole game, I feel good about that.  Interesting that Kenyon hasn't locked onto Dirk though, kind of surprising.


• Erick Dampier has looked totally lost.  Denver's frontline is just too athletic for him.


• Offensively, the Nugs look really tight.  The only points they're getting are in the paint so far.


• Kenyon's hip-check/forearm shiver on Dirk was pretty nasty looking, but that's the type of thing that's going to get into Dirk's head and also seemed to give Kenyon an energy boost too.


• Interesting to see LK enter the game so early on.  All I can think is that George saw how the refs were calling the game and decided to use up a few fouls with Linas the Menace.


• Glad to see Josh Howard back out on the floor.  You hate to see a team lose one of their top guys in the first game of a best of seven series.


• I'd like to officially welcome Nene to the 2009 Playoffs!  This could be the match-up that wins it for the Nugs.


• Dirk's antics are reminiscent of Tim Duncan's non-call incredulance and WoManu Ginobili's flailing limb approach to basketball.  No sir, I don't like it.


• This first half reminds me a whole lot of Game 5 against the Hornets.  The Nuggets are keeping themselves in the game by keeping the Mavs out of the paint, and attacking the basket offensively.  Once those shots start falling, the Nugs could put a little room between them on the scoreboard.