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Nuggets hang on to beat Clippers

Denver exhales as Camby misses late three-pointer

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 26, 2008 at 10:59 p.m.

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Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who scored 30 points, drives past Clippers forward Al Thornton during the first half.

Photo by Gus Ruelas / Associated Press

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who scored 30 points, drives past Clippers forward Al Thornton during the first half.

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Nuggets coach George Karl said it had the makings of a "weird game." It really would have been strange if Marcus Camby's last-second shot had fallen.

The Nuggets defeated the Clippers 106-105 on Wednesday night at the Staples Center in their first meeting against Camby since the big man was traded from Denver in July. Camby could have won the game, but he missed a three-point shot just before the buzzer.

"It was right there on line, it just came up short," Camby said. "For us, it would have meant we got a win."

Before the game, Karl was worried about some strange doings. The Clippers, with Mike Dunleavy at his father-in-law's funeral in Dallas, were coached by assistant Kim Hughes, a former Nuggets assistant.

The Clippers were playing their first game with Zach Randolph since he was acquired last Friday from New York. And Karl said they were starved for a win.

But it didn't happen Wednesday despite some late anxious moments for the Nuggets. Forward Carmelo Anthony totaled 30 points and 11 rebounds while the Nuggets (10-5) raised their mark to 9-2 since Chauncey Billups first suited up following his Nov. 3 acquisition from Detroit.

After trailing by as many as 13 points in the third quarter, the Clippers stormed back to tie the score 103-103 on a three-pointer by Eric Gordon, who scored a team-high 24 points, with 1:34 remaining. However, Anthony gave the Nuggets the lead for good on a 15-foot jumper with 1:15 left.

After Randolph cut the deficit to 106-105 on a layup with 34 seconds left, the Clippers got the ball back. But Camby missed his straightaway three-pointer with 2 seconds left.

"If he would have made that shot at the end, it would have been crazy," said Nuggets guard Anthony Carter. "I was like, 'Please, anybody but him.' "

While Camby said harsh things initially about being traded from the Nuggets in a salary dump, he has backed off considerably in recent weeks. So Wednesday's game had the makings of a friendly reunion.

That's exactly what it turned out to be on Thanksgiving eve.

Before the game, Camby greeted the crowd and gave them best wishes for the holiday. Then he warmly greeted his former teammates, and gave a backwards hand bump to Nuggets center Nene, his good friend.

Then Camby hugged Karl, who said before the game that, while he had left a message, he had not spoken to Camby since he was traded.

"I said I was glad to see him," said Camby, who said "bygones are bygones" with regard to the trade. "It was the first time I had seen him since I was shipped out of town."

Camby totaled 17 points and 11 rebounds in 38 minutes.

"I just said I respected him and I'm going to miss him," Karl said of their pre-game meeting. "He joked around a little bit."

The Clippers (2-13) proved pesky despite some injury problems. Center Chris Kaman left after the first quarter with a sore left foot.

The home team didn't have guard Ricky Davis (knee), and forward Brian Skinner and guard Jason Hart, both out with the flu.

The Clippers didn't get much from Randolph in his debut as the forward shot 3-of-11 for 7 points.

The Nuggets had their usual balanced scoring. Big men Nene and Kenyon Martin each scored 17, and reserve forward Linas Kleiza added 15.

"It was good and bad," Karl said of the win. "We were fortunate. . . . This win will look a lot better eating turkey (today)."

The Nuggets looked early on as if they would really take advantage of the Clippers being without their coach and some key players. Denver took a 42-29 lead midway through the second quarter. But the Clippers cut the deficit to 56-55.

The Nuggets went up by 13 in the third quarter. But the Clippers charged back again, and tied the score late.

Karl benched guard J.R. Smith because Karl said Smith was "extremely" late to Monday's practice.

"My decision on lateness is going to be handled different this year," said Karl, who has vowed to be tougher this season.

Smith declined comment.

Speaking of late, Camby didn't play in his first two chances against the Nuggets, having a bruised heel for an Oct. 24 preseason game and an Oct. 31 regular-season game. But he almost made his debut against Denver really weird for Karl.

ETC.: Forward Chris Andersen dressed out Wednesday for the first time since suffering a broken rib Nov. 9, but didn't play. Andersen could return as soon as tonight at home against New Orleans. "They said there's a chance," Andersen said. . . . Billups shot just 2-of-10 for 7 points but had 11 assists.

Comments

  • November 27, 2008

    8:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    denverone writes:

    Another nice team win. The last few wins have been very satisfying with EVERYONE crashing and fighting for rebounds, making steals and handing the ball off to the open man.
    Amazing what you can do in this game when you recognize and trust your teammates.

    Go Nuggs!

  • November 27, 2008

    8:41 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    avsfan71085 writes:

    I agree 'denverone' it's fun to watch! Go Nugs!! 10-5 great start to the season

  • November 27, 2008

    11:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jsppro1 writes:

    They are playing well! Has anyone notice Melo's all around play. I think the Nuggets are one big away. LK or JR trade ahead?