Nuggets take eighth in playoff race with win
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Originally published 11:20 p.m., March 29, 2008
Updated 11:20 p.m., March 29, 2008
David Zalubowski © AP
Nuggets guard Allen Iverson reacts as the Nuggets pull ahead of the Golden State Warriors in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets' 119-112 victory Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.
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The music in the locker room after the game was appropriate. Kanye West's "Good Life'' blared out of the loudspeakers, and Nuggets players were singing along.
The Nuggets on Saturday night were living the good life, beating Golden State 119-112 before a sellout crowd of 19,844 at the Pepsi Center in what was touted as the biggest game of the season.
"That's an understatement,'' Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin, who scored a season-high 30 points, said when asked if it was a big win.
The Nuggets (45-28) moved past the Warriors (44-28) and into sole possession of eighth place in the West playoff race. It marked the first time they held eighth alone since Feb. 22 and the first time they had a share of it since Feb. 24.
Denver also secured the tiebreaker over the Warriors. So the Nuggets, who lead the season series 2-1 and would win on a better conference record if it finishes 2-2, would get the nod for the playoffs if the teams finish tied.
"I obviously think we're going to get in,'' said Nuggets guard Allen Iverson.
Then again, Iverson has felt that way for a while.
"I felt good before the game,'' Iverson said. "It didn't take this game…. This wasn't a do-or-die game for us. We still got more games to play.''
From an individual standpoint, it was a game Iverson wouldn't mind forgetting. He shot 4-of-20 and scored just 14 points.
Iverson has been bothered by fracture in his right ring finger the past three weeks. He said he aggravated the injury Saturday.
"I got hit on it earlier in the game and it just bothered me throughout,'' he said. "I didn't shoot the ball well. I'm hoping my teammates didn't think I was out there point shaving or something.''
But what counted for Iverson was Denver getting its fifth straight win.
"I'd take 0-for-20 and win,'' he quipped. "I'd take Oprah Winfrey and a win.''
At least Iverson had plenty of teammates picking him up. Forward Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points and guard J.R. Smith had 20, shooting 6-of-7 on two-pointers but just 1-of-9 on three-pointers.
And then there was Martin. He came within five of his career-high of 35 points.
"I just wanted to be aggressive,'' said Martin, who grabbed 11 rebounds. "Couldn't sleep (before the game). Ready to get this win and ready to get this game going. It was a great win for us.''
There were stretches in which it looked as if it might be an easy win. The Nuggets led by as many as 11 points in the first half and were up by as many as nine in the third quarter before the Warriors stormed back to take an 86-83 late in the quarter.
The Nuggets pushed the lead to 12 on four occasions in the fourth quarter. But the Warriors stormed back to cut it three times to three points.
But, with the Nuggets leading 113-110, Martin made the shot of the game. He hit a 15-footer to put Denver up 115-110 with 1:11 left, and Golden State never got closer.
"Kenyon was incredible,'' said Nuggets coach George Karl, who also lauded the play of the bench, especially after Denver got fatigued during Golden State's third-quarter run.
Karl was asked if the team's confidence is as high as it's been all season.
"Probably,'' Karl said. "The last five games were really stressful and pressurized basketball games and I think we've responded really well. We've got nine more to go and I think we're confident we can figure out a way to win almost every night we play.''
Still, Karl didn't want to get overly confident.
"We're not out of the woods, baby,'' said Karl, whose team also moved within a half game of Dallas (45-27) for the No. 7 playoff spot.
The Warriors got 28 points from guard Baron Davis and 17 rebounds from center Andris Biedrins. But they shot just 40.4 percent.
"It doesn't make any difference,'' said Golden State coach Don Nelson, downplaying the importance of the game. "You have got to win games whether you are in the eighth spot or scratching to get in.''
Anthony also sought to downplay the game.
"No, it ain't,'' he said when asked if it was the biggest win of the season. "We got a lot of them. We got 45 of them.''
Nevertheless, Anthony was among those enjoying the post-game "Good Life.''
tomassonc@RockyMountainNews.com
Comments
Posted by Broncos4Life on March 30, 2008 at 8:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's too bad the Nuggets could'nt play with a sense of urgency earlier in the season instead of waiting to the last couple of weeks of the season. All this late push is going to get as a reward is one of the upper echelon teams in the conference in the playoffs. Could be another short playoff run, and a long vacation, again!
Posted by jeremynix on March 30, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There always has to be a naysayer. What are you talking about? The Nuggets are 17 Games over .500. they have been playing with a sense of urgency all season long. We play in the toughest conference, and are surrounded by quality competition. One of these Western conference teams is going to end up on the outside looking in, and be a 50 win team. They are having a great season, and if they don't get in, they don't have anything to be ashamed of. The Nuggets are having one of their best seasons in franchise history. So give em a break already. We're lucky to have such an entertaining team to watch. The best is yet to come.
Posted by rocketryder on March 30, 2008 at 11:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jeremynix,
What are you smoking, and what Nuggets team have you been watching? The Nugs HAVE NOT played with any urgency this season until recently.
They've lost like 20 games by 10 points or more. They've lost like 10 games by 20+ points. They've lost HOME games to teams that had NO business coming to Denver and winning. They've gone on the road and have gotten absolutely destroyed. They are notorious for taking nights off and playing NO defense. You call that urgency? Let's remember that this team was predicted to win 60 this year.
The Boston Celtics are playing with urgency and purpose if you need an example of it.
And the Nugs are just as, if not more talented than the C's in my honest opinion........
Posted by scastaneda on March 30, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree they've had no sense of urgency or competitive spirit. Just ONE of the many reasons the NBA is unwatchable. The egos in this league are so big that there are a LOT of guys (not just in Denver) who play tough only when they feel the coach, their teammates and the media are stroking them correctly.
A.I.'s comment about "I'm hoping my teammates didn't think I was out there point shaving or something" is absolutely moronic. Why would you say something like that? You didn't have a good night. Leave it at that. I didn't see the game (like I said, watching NBA is a chore) so I can't comment on his performance.
But congrats to the whole team and especially Martin. Good job.
Posted by stewie_08 on March 30, 2008 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I completely disagree about the NBA being unwatchable. If you don't dig watching teams like Denver and Golden State play, you simply don't like the sport and shouldn't bother commenting on it. The West race is pretty sweet, too. I know it's a football town, but seems a bit peculiar to rip on a team that is 45-28. I'm guessing the last two commentors chastised the Rockies as they were making their amazing run.
Posted by Denver81 on March 30, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i know everyone wants to hate on the Nuggets right now, and i know that they have not been perfect all year, but they are having a good year, and they do have a good chance of not only getting into the playoffs but doing pretty well in them
Think on this
From number 1 to number 9 in the west there is a 5.5 game diff. (as opposed to the East where teams like Denver or G.S.would be in 4th above the all hailed King James. And 1 to 9 is a 27.5 game diff!)
While the nuggets are not as good as they could have been at home (kind of theme for them if you watch previous years) they have been better on the road than many, look at Utah who just lost there second road game in Minnesota, thats right MINNESOTA! they are sitting at 4 and the just cant seem to get it together on the road (kind of important come playoffs)
The West is a mad house, while 3 teams in the east have locked down there playoff birth, not one in the west has done the same, all it takes is one run (Rockets) or one slide (Mav's, Sun's) to change the entire shape of the western playoffs.
Posted by rocketryder on March 31, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Denver81,
How do you think or feel the Nuggets will do well in the playoffs, when they CANNOT WIN ROAD GAMES? They don't even show up for half of the road trips, let alone when they have to play one of the league's heavyweights.
If the Nugs make it to the playoffs, they'll win all the home games, but since they're not gonna have home court, they'll lose all the road games. So with those variables considered, we're realistically looking at a 4-3 first round exit if not 4-2. Yay!
Posted by rocketryder on March 31, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And stewie_08,
Truth hurts don't it. I'm just being honest. I'm a Nuggets fan, and I HOPE they do well, but they are without a doubt most underacheiving team in the NBA. Their inconsistency, lack of effort, and chemistry is maddening sometimes. Which is very frustrating because not only is this the most talented Denver team EVER, it's easily one of the most talented teams in the NBA. The Nugs have 3 All-Stars in their starting lineup. 4 honestly because Camby shoulda been in the last two. If this group can't get it together and get it done, who is?
The Nugs have no unity or cohesiveness. They act like they just met each other about a hour before tipoff most nights.
Again, just stating facts stewie........
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