Defense, reserves preserve Nuggets' victory over Nets

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published March 21, 2008 at 6:39 p.m.
Updated March 21, 2008 at 11:33 p.m.

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The defense at times was still porous. But the offense was glorious.

The Nuggets did what they do best Friday night at the IZOD Center, outscoring a foe. The Nuggets blew a 17-point third-quarter lead, but came back to beat New Jersey, 125-114.

"Welcome to Denver Nuggets land," coach George Karl said. "We play so fast, sometimes it's good, sometimes it's dangerous."

In the end, it was good. The Nuggets (41-28) saw the Nets turn a 78-61 deficit into an 88-86 lead. But the Nuggets took over with a 15-0 spurt at the end of the third quarter and start of the fourth when their much-maligned defense came up big.

It was a much-needed win for the Nuggets, who had dropped the first two games of a five-game trip. The Nuggets had lost eight of nine road games, giving up 116.4 points during the stretch.

"Just struggling and losing two games in a row, we wanted to do anything to get a win," said guard Allen Iverson, who led the Nuggets with 26 points.

Iverson started slow, but scored 21 second-half points when he was able to drive the lane with success. He can thank reserve forward Linas Kleiza.

Kleiza opened the inside up by scoring 23 points off the bench. He shot 9-of-11, including 5-of-7 from three-point range.

"The ball was moving freely and guys were doing a great job," Kleiza said. "I was getting my opportunity and I came through."

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony managed just 17 points. But with Kleiza and guard J.R. Smith, who scored 12 points, strong off the bench, that more than made up for it.

"If our bench didn't show up like they did, big, I don't know if we win the game," Karl said.

The Nuggets led 78-61 midway through the third quarter and were looking at times like the team that scored a mind-boggling 168 points Sunday against Seattle. But then they went into a swoon.

"We were just talking to ourselves, 'We can't be that snakebit. To let this game get away,' " Anthony said of the Nets fighting back for an 88-86 lead. "But we just kept our composure, and we won game."

The Nuggets moved within 31/2 games of Utah in the Northwest Division.

They closed within 11/2 of Golden State for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

Despite the win, it was very businesslike in Denver's locker room after the game.

"We know what's at stake," Iverson said. "We don't have time to celebrate. We've got to get on to the next one (Sunday at Toronto)."

There was some celebrating on the court, though, in the first half. Forward Kenyon Martin, the former New Jersey star who scored 12 of his 17 points before intermission, was quite happy throwing down a bevy of dunks.

The Nuggets took a 33-25 lead after the first quarter. They continued to extend it, and were up 67-55 at halftime. The Nets (29-40) fought back. But they ran out gas.

After New Jersey led 90-89 late in the third, Denver scored the final four points of the quarter and the first 11 of the fourth quarter.

"That's the situation we put ourselves in, digging the hole," Nets guard Vince Carter said. "We put ourselves back in the game, but we just had to play a perfect game from there and play past fatigue."

Carter led the Nets with 32 points, forward Richard Jefferson added 29 and guard Devin Harris totaled 16 points and a career-high 13 points.

But it wasn't enough.

"When was our last road win?" said Nuggets center Marcus Camby, who grabbed 10 rebounds after getting a season-low four Wednesday at Philadelphia. "It's been tough."

Their last road triumph had been Feb. 27 at Seattle. The Nuggets had lost five straight.

But welcome to Denver Nuggets land. Just when it looks bad, it quickly can start looking good again.

ETC.: For the first time since returning March 7 from Jan. 11 sports hernia surgery, Nuggets guard Chucky Atkins didn't play. Karl said he spoke to Atkins before the game and said he's having trouble getting him minutes because of the rotation being shortened as Denver's games heat up. "He was a pro," said Karl, who said there still could be times for Atkins to play key minutes. Said Atkins, "I can't complain. I've been hurt all year." . . . The Nuggets committed just nine turnovers to 18 for New Jersey.

NUMBERS GAME

17 Minutes played Friday at New Jersey by Denver’s J.R. Smith in his fourth NBA game in his native state. Smith, who scored 12 points, played a combined 14 minutes in the first three. “It’s a lot better than sitting on the bench,’’ he said.

NENE CLOSER

With Nene, recovering from testicular cancer, having done shooting, conditioning and one-on-one work, Nuggets coach George Karl hopes he’ll go through a full practice Tuesday or Wednesday.

“Playing basketball is probably the next step,’’ Karl said. “Maybe we’ll get lucky and he’ll play five-on-five (next week). I’m still hopeful.’’

Nene, who hasn’t played since Jan. 7, wouldn’t speculate on a return to practice, saying he must “get in shape.’’

Also, Nene said he plans to be married during next February’s All-Star break. Nene said his wife will be Lauren Hilario, taking his family’s name, and is 25 and from Colorado.

CASHING IN

Nuggets center Marcus Camby played his 65th game Wednesday, assuring he’ll receive his full $2 million seasonal bonus for games played. By reaching 65, Camby also is eligible for statistical bonuses, which netted another $1.25 million last season.

Because the Nuggets will pay the dollar-for-dollar luxury tax, a $3.25 million Camby bonus haul would cost them $6.5 million.

“It’s all about just trying to win,’’ said Camby, downplaying his incentives.

HE SAID IT

“To try to figure it out and predict it, I think it creates more stress and more pressure.’’

--Karl, on the tight West playoff race.

Nuggets 125, Nets 114

FG FT Reb

DENVER Min M-A M-A O-T A PF Pts

Anthony 36:59 7-12 3-5 1-5 4 2 17

Martin 32:43 8-15 1-4 2-8 2 2 17

Camby 38:31 6-14 4-5 2-10 4 4 16

ACarter 26:46 4-7 0-0 1-2 6 3 8

Iverson 44:52 8-18 10-11 0-1 9 4 26

Najera 18:25 2-4 1-2 0-3 0 5 6

Smith 17:27 4-7 3-4 0-1 6 2 12

Kleiza 22:52 9-11 0-2 2-4 0 1 23

Green 0:42 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Diawara 0:42 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0

Totals 240 48-89 22-33 8-34 31 23 125

Percentages - FG .539, FT .667. Three-point goals - 7-16, .438 (Kleiza 5-7, Najera 1-1, Smith 1-2, Camby 0-1, Diawara 0-1, Iverson 0-1, Martin 0-1, A.Carter 0-2). Team rebounds - 10. Team turnovers - 9 (12 pts.). Blocked shots - 3 (Camby 2, Martin). Turnovers - 9 (Anthony 3, Camby 2, Iverson 2, Martin, Smith). Steals - 13 (Iverson 4, Najera 3, Camby 2, A.Carter 2, Smith 2). Technicals - None.

FG FT Reb

N.J. Min M-A M-A O-T A PF Pts

Jefferson 36:02 11-18 5-7 1-5 4 4 29

Krstic 15:49 3-7 2-3 0-1 1 2 8

Boone 34:08 4-6 2-3 2-11 2 3 10

Harris 41:03 5-13 5-5 0-5 13 3 16

VCarter 38:49 12-23 7-8 1-6 5 5 32

SWilliams 11:43 1-1 0-0 1-3 0 4 2

Nachbar 18:46 1-4 0-0 0-3 2 2 2

Swift 7:29 1-2 2-2 2-2 0 1 4

MWilliams 14:59 3-7 2-2 1-3 3 1 9

Hassell 3:41 0-1 0-0 0-2 0 0 0

Diop 17:31 1-1 0-1 2-5 0 0 2

Totals 240 42-83 25-31 10-46 30 25 114

Percentages - FG .506, FT .806. Three-point goals - 5-18, .278 (Jefferson 2-4, V.Carter 1-4, Harris 1-4, M.Williams 1-4, Nachbar 0-2). Team rebounds - 9. Team turnovers - 18 (28 pts.). Blocked shots - 5 (Diop 2, V.Carter, Jefferson, S.Williams). Turnovers - 18 (M.Williams 5, V.Carter 4, Jefferson 3, Nachbar 3, Boone, Harris, Swift). Steals - 4 (V.Carter, Harris, Jefferson, M.Williams). Technicals - None.

Denver 33 34 26 32 - 125

New Jersey 25 30 35 24 - 114

A - 17,949 (19,990). T - 2:16. Officials - Bennett Salvatore, Jason Phillips, Mark Ayotte.

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