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Smith propels Nuggets to early lead, victory

Paul Owen, Special to the Rocky

Published October 21, 2008 at 9:57 p.m.

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Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones goes up for a layup past Raptors forward Jermaine O'Neal while Denver's Carmelo Anthony looks on.

Photo by Jimmy Jeong © The Canadian Press

Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones goes up for a layup past Raptors forward Jermaine O'Neal while Denver's Carmelo Anthony looks on.

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The Nuggets spoiled the Toronto Raptors' first trip to Edmonton since 1999.

J.R. Smith led the Nuggets with 22 points and Carmelo Anthony and Nene each added 15 as the Nuggets beat the Raptors 105-94 on Tuesday night.

"J.R. came in off the bench and gave us a big, explosive offensive game, but he played more fundamental tonight than he has in the past couple games," Nuggets coach George Karl said.

The Nuggets opened an early lead thanks to an 11-3 run to end the first quarter and never looked back. Smith caught fire in the second, scoring 13 points and extending the Nuggets' lead to 11 at halftime, emphasized by Nene dunking over Toronto's Jamario Moon just before the buzzer.

"It's a good moment," Nene said. "He's a good player, but I got the opportunity; I'm always going to look to finish strong."

Nene carried that momentum into the third quarter, scoring 11 of the Nuggets' 22 points. The Raptors never got closer than five.

"I thought we made some big steps for a more consistent defensive performance," Karl said. "The camp has been very focused towards the defensive end of the court, and tonight I would say the foundation of our win was our defensive performance."

The Nuggets have to get their roster to 15 by Monday and probably will do so before Thursday to give the released players a chance to clear waivers by the Monday deadline.

Mateen Cleaves, Nick Fazekas, Juwan Howard, James Mays, Smush Parker and Ruben Patterson don't have guaranteed contracts. The Nuggets have 13 players with guaranteed contracts.

"In the next day or two, there's going to have to be some cuts," Karl said. "That's the problem in the NBA today, there's a lot of guys that should be playing NBA basketball. But there's just not enough spots, and too many guaranteed contracts take up the spots and take opportunity away from some of the guys that we're probably going to be cutting in the next couple days. Some guys who played very well tonight are going to be out of work."

"I don't worry about that stuff," said Howard, who started and finished with four points and three rebounds. "It's in the organization's hands. Accept what's done."

Fazekas, a Ralston Valley High School graduate, played the entire fourth quarter, putting in four points and adding a team-high seven rebounds.

"I feel like I've played as hard as I can and given the team as much as I can. Just maybe didn't catch the breaks that I needed," he said. "I guess I feel good about my game and have nothing to be ashamed of."

Allen Iverson and Stephen Hunter didn't make the trip. Hunter is suffering from a right knee injury; Iverson still is hobbled by a sprained right ankle. Kenyon Martin (left wrist sprain), Linas Kleiza (thumb), Chucky Atkins (knee) and Sonny Weems (groin) also missed the game.

"They're all probable," Karl said. "(Iverson) has only played one or two games. We need to get him on the court."

Comments

  • October 22, 2008

    8:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    I think this year will be a breakout year for JR and Kleiza. I'm really hoping they will step up to give us the bench support we need. I can't wait for the regular season. Why are none of these preseason games on TV?

    GO NUGS!

  • October 22, 2008

    9:02 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LingLingfor_prez writes:

    Go Blazers! Breakout year for Kleiza, bad year for JR (self inflicted.)

  • October 22, 2008

    9:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wj_nugs writes:

    Yeah I wish some of these games were televised also. Hard to believe Altitude can't pick up one of these games but oh well, the real season is upon us.
    Our bench is deep for the first time in a long time. I look for LK and JR to have great seasons and I think the acquisitions of Birdman and Balkman will prove beneficial. I think the D-Nugs are going to turn the defensive corner this year as well as turn some heads.

    Let's go Nugs!

  • October 22, 2008

    10:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    FatTony writes:

    Defense Defense Defense.

    A problem that plagues the Broncos & the Nuggets.

  • October 22, 2008

    3:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    ccorrea writes:

    Wow, Do you see Dahntey Jones above the rim !

  • October 22, 2008

    9:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    den2mke writes:

    Maybe the pre-season's been an aberration, but if JR Smith continues to step up and the Nugs can keep the defensive pressure somewhat consistent, they could be a lot better than some projected. Hard to say for sure, it's the pre-season...

    BTW, wonder if it's gone unnoticed that a lot of the victories in the pre-season and Denver's early commitment to defense have come without Iverson being in the lineup. Great talent, but wonder when folks will realize that he dominates the ball and has more to do with their challenges than their success.

    If JR can keep his head screwed on straight--and, face it, he's same age as most rookies and his best should be ahead of him--he gives the Nuggets a much better presence on the floor. His size means they won't have a defensive mis-match in the back-court every night and his range opens up the floor. Additionally, he doesn't need 25 shots a game to contribute, allowing Melo and the team's fast-paced system to score as they should.

    Everyone knew JR was capable of being a star in the league, just didn't know if his head would allow. He's a huge potential talent, with good range, ability to get to the rim and length on the defensive side of the ball. See how it goes the first quarter of the season and, if working, trade AI and use the Camby exemption to bring in some pieces that allow the Nugs to really contend. A much better short and long-term scenario for this bunch than believing they can contend with a two-headed scoring monster. My opinion...

  • October 23, 2008

    12:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Snappa writes:

    I wish Karl would make JR Smith the freakin starter and move AI to point... haveing AC as the starting PG is just dumb man... and AI in an undersized SG in the west, when is Karl gonna grown some brains man... stupid...