The Denver Nuggets put a hurting on the New Orleans Hornets in Game 1. It was almost hard to watch after the Nuggets took a 30+ point lead. Surprisingly, the big lead didn't come until after Chauncey Billups did most of his damage. Chauncey put up 36 points (8 three-Pointers) 8 assists, 2 steals and 0 turnovers. Chris Paul had 21 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 4 turnovers...and 46 FLOPS.

The Nuggets won Game 1 thanks to tough post play and Chauncey Billups hot shooting.

Chauncey Billups: He came out firing early against the Hornets. The plan was to put a big guard on Chauncey, to play tough defense. That plan didn't work. Chauncey made Rasual Butler look pretty bad. Butler probably has a stiff neck from watching Chauncey toss in 8 three-pointers right in his face. I'm not trying to talk smack, that's just what happened. Over and over again, Chauncey made almost everything he shot. It was pretty fun to watch. At one point I remember telling my brother that Chauncey looked like he had some extra pep his step. It's the NBA Playoffs and Chauncey is ready to play.

Tough Post Play  - The Nuggets post players stepped up big time against the Hornets. Kenyon Martin dominated David West on defense. West looked scared to take the ball to the hole. Martin played him close the whole night. Nene had some great moves against Tyson Chandler and finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds. Chris 'Birdman' Anderson had 4 blocked shots. The Nuggets post players were more physical and in general played much, much better than the Hornets big men. Tyson Chandler tried to get his team fired up by throwing some forearms blows. Nice try Tyson, maybe in Game 2.

Game 1 is in the books.

• The Denver Nuggets are off to a 1-0 start.
• Chauncey Billups is 1-0 over Chris Paul.
• The Nuggets post players are 1-0 over the Hornets.
•  The Nuggets bench is 1-0 over the Hornets (thanks to Birdman, JR Smith & Linas Kleiza

Jeremy Fleming
DenverSportsBlog.com