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Whistle blows Nuggets' way against Mavs

Billups' free throws after disputed call seals win

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 13, 2009 at 9:40 p.m.

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Chris Andersen, who scored a season-high 15 points and made a 47-foot shot at the end of the third quarter, grabs a rebound during the Nuggets' 99-97 victory Tuesday.

Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky

Chris Andersen, who scored a season-high 15 points and made a 47-foot shot at the end of the third quarter, grabs a rebound during the Nuggets' 99-97 victory Tuesday.

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What they thought was a kick by Chauncey Billups turned out to be a kick in the gut for the Dallas Mavericks.

As for the Nuggets, they hope it will kick-start them on another winning streak.

After being fouled with 2.2 seconds left, Billups made two free throws to give the Nuggets a 99-97 win against Dallas on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.

"When I was up on my shot, that's where I felt it," said Billups, who scored a team-high 23 points as the Nuggets won their first game after a five-game winning streak was snapped Friday against Detroit. "A foul's a foul. What can you do?"

What Dallas owner Mark Cuban did was storm onto the court after the game screaming at the officials. After the game, Nuggets coach George Karl blasted Cuban, saying he improperly was getting in the ear of the Nuggets' J.R. Smith at halftime.

While much more restrained, Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki, who scored 25 of his 44 points in the second half and had 14 rebounds, also wondered about the late call that got Billups to the free-throw line.

With the score tied 97-97, Billups drove the lane and banged into Jason Terry. Billups' leg went forward, but Terry got the whistle.

"Tough call," Nowitzki said. "It could be either way. . . . I think (Terry) was right there trying to contest the shot and (Billups) kicked his leg out and the league told us that once you kick your leg out this season, it's automatically an offensive foul."

After Billups made his two free throws and with the Mavericks out of timeouts, a desperation full-court pass failed, and the Nuggets breathed a sigh of relief.

The Nuggets (26-13), after leading by 17 points early in the third quarter, watched Dallas storm back to take a 95-91 lead on two free throws by Nowitzki with 1:32 left.

But the Nuggets scored six straight points, with guard Anthony Carter making it 97-95 on a fast-break layup with 28 seconds left.

Nowitzki tied the score 97-97 on a dunk with 19.6 seconds left. That set the stage for the two free throws by Billups. He made the second one even though Karl wanted him to miss because Dallas was out of timeouts.

"They made a run," Nuggets center Chris Andersen said of the Mavericks. "Everybody kept their composure. . . . The game is not over until the big horn goes off."

The Mavericks (22-16) also found out the third quarter wasn't over until the horn went off. With the Nuggets up 75-72, Andersen intercepted a Dallas pass near midcourt and threw in a 47-foot three-pointer at the buzzer for a 78-72 lead.

"As a kid, I wanted to play free safety," Andersen said. "I got the opportunity."

Andersen scored a season-high 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting, pulled down 10 rebounds and blocked two shots. He wasn't the only Nuggets big man to come up big. Center Nene scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting.

Although the Nuggets got a season-high 16 points from guard Dahntay Jones, perimeter players Smith and Linas Kleiza chipped paint off the rim. Smith made 1-of-14 shots for two points and Kleiza was 1-of-6 for five points.

"L.K. and J.R. have hit a slump that is beyond belief," Karl said of Smith being 4-of-27 the past two games and Kleiza 1-of-12.

Kleiza had started the first two games with Carmelo Anthony out because of a broken hand before Smith started Tuesday.

Although Smith had a career-high-tying seven assists, Karl didn't see much of a silver lining in that.

"His decisions not only drive me crazy, I'm sure they drive you all crazy," said Karl, who said he played Smith 33 minutes because he thought he eventually might make some shots after starting 0-of-9.

Smith apparently also drove Cuban crazy. Karl blasted Cuban, saying he was talking to Smith.

"I don't care if Cuban barks, but he shouldn't be barking at my players," Karl said. "He barked at J.R. at halftime. I thought it was very unprofessional, irresponsible. And if he sees something that he wants to deliver to the league, fine, he can do that.

"But he shouldn't be on the court talking to one of my players. And he was talking to J.R. about an elbow situation. And I thought it doesn't look good for anybody."

As it turned out, after watching the late foul called on Terry, Cuban had a lot more to worry about than any apparent Smith elbow.

Comments

  • January 13, 2009

    10:56 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jbowen43 writes:

    Looked like a repeat of the Detroit game, only when they nearly ALL choked this time Chris Andersen pulled them out of the fire. This should end the talk about either Kleza or JR being capable starters at this time. There is still too much mustard on those hot dogs.

  • January 14, 2009

    12:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    cbbuff writes:

    I'll give you JR, but Kleiza is a hot dog? Pluheeze.

    They have had a couple of bad games to be sure, and they are probably pressing with Melo out. But they have both played well and shot well this year, and are still very young.

  • January 14, 2009

    1:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jonnbear writes:

    The thing that I don't understand is even though Kleiza and JR were both struggling, however, Karl just complained about JR's game. And even with them both struggling Karl sat DJ and didn't even consider playing Balkman.

  • January 14, 2009

    2:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jscarp writes:

    What is GK's Issue with Balkman....What a Moron
    He could have at least helped out on defense, but no he keeps
    him sitting on the bench. I do not understand.
    You got to give Dahntay Jones credit he is really playing great and it looks
    as though his offense is coming around.
    We lose without Birdman period.
    I know there are a lot of Anthony Carter haters on this blog
    but you got to give him credit for his timely shots.
    Still don't like his turnovers though.
    Nene awesome.
    JR & LK need to calm down a little and not try so so hard to make
    up for Carmelo's missing points.
    Nerve-racking game again.....

    Go Nuggets beat Pa-hone-iks....

  • January 14, 2009

    2:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    sanchez316 writes:

    Birdman was awesome...he was in the zone! Always in the right place at the right time. That hurts that JR struggled in the starting lineup, but I really love JR coming off the bench because if the nuggs are struggling, JR is like an insurance policy coming off the bench and knowing he is instant offense, for Kleiza, he is streaky, and can't light it up off the bench like JR.

  • January 14, 2009

    6:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    Why did GK leave JR and Kleiza in the game for so long? Sit them both down when they are missing shots and put Balkman in there! We could have kept that big lead if we had a defensive presence in the 3rd. But JR and Kleiza stayed in, didn't play defense (because they were too worried about their stats) and then gave up the lead. JR takes at least 3-4 horrible shots during each game. I wish he would drive the lane when he's not hitting his jump shots.

    And what was with KMart taking jump shots when he had a few open dunks last night?

    They have to play better than that against the Suns... Birdman, DJ and Nene were about the only bright spots.

    GO NUGS!

  • January 14, 2009

    8:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_KIMN_Chicken writes:

    Ugh, Cuban is such a douche bag. So funny to see them lose just because of him. Also, it's a little bit of karma after years and years of Denver always getting the shaft from the NBA refs who always play favorites... it's about time we got a few calls.

  • January 14, 2009

    9:20 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    Maybe we can petition the league to not allow third quarters in our games. Just like the Detroit game another pathetic repeat. Hats off to "Birdman" and his outanding performance. His best all round to date. Ditto to Chauncey and the clutch FT's at games end to seal the deal and his big play throughout. Once again it should have never came down to those FT's. As for my post yesterday leading up to the game I batted 500. I had said that I did not like JR in the starters role and he served us better by coming off the bench and "Clueless" starting him only substanciated my point. All players have a comfort zone. Right on with that one but I missed on Kleiza bouncing back after his horrific Detroit game. What's up all of a sudden with his confidence? Hoping it will not be another case of once is a happening and twice being a trend. Anybody guarding Nowitski yet? Last night we made him the HOF'er he may eventually become. A tough stretch ahead and we need to cure those 3rd quarter woes or we will soon be looking up in the standings rather than looking down!

  • January 14, 2009

    9:28 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Cwillyrun1 writes:

    Cuban is an idiot and I hope the league fines him big time. If I was Karl, I would've had security drag him off the court at the end.

    The call at the end was somewhat correct. Sure, Billups' leg went forward and out on the shot...... after Kidd hand checked Billups on the waist (a foul under league rules, which wasn't called) and while Terry nailed Billups in the side on the shot. Either way, there's a foul on Dallas.

    Sounds like sour grapes from Dallas and Cuban.

  • January 14, 2009

    9:51 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    Idiot? See Websters for photo. However, with Cuban's deep pockets how big is big enough to matter, let alone hurt? I suggest total bannishment!

  • January 14, 2009

    10:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    reddog writes:

    Take your baby bottle and go back to Dallas Cuban with all your other cry babies. $uck it up you LOST.

  • January 14, 2009

    11 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    wj_nugs writes:

    A lot of potential topics to discuss but I suppose I will settle on rotations and personnel. I may be the minority but I like JR coming off the bench right now. Even though I question his basketball IQ at times, he can provide a termendous spark off the bench and that is something we have definitely lacked recently.
    I have never been a huge LK supporter and my frustrations with his game have come full-circle. I do not think he deserves to average 25 minutes a game. He has had a very hard time finishing at the rim and he settles for way too many jumpers. I can appreciate a player's struggles on the offensive side, that just happens. However, it would be different if LK was doing other things like playing DECENT D and rebounding. I see neither and the way D Jones played last night, he should be in there a lot more.
    On the same note, I keep going back to Balkman and why he isn't getting at least 10 minutes a game. It makes no sense to me how someone who is known for defense, energy, and hustle cannot even get off the bench.
    More minutes for Jones and Balkman, less minutes for LK. I would be fine with cutting ties with LK at this point.

    Go Nugs!

  • January 14, 2009

    12:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FatTony writes:

    Ya'alls get down on Kleiza too much. Can a guy have a off night every once in a while?! Sheesh. Who was clutch for us the 2nd half of last year hitting 3 pointers when no one else was? Kleiza. Bet you were lickin' his balls then, weren't you? Melo didn't start off the season too hot and ya'alls weren't calling for his head, so W-T-F? Quit with the knee-jerk reactions and be more supportive of the players....the coach on the other hand....off with his head!

  • January 14, 2009

    1:05 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    FatTony: Geez! I merely asked what's up with his confidence of late. His play the last two games begs the question. Hell, it's not a video game out there and If you read MY post after the Detroit fiasco you would see where I agreed with you as to being able to have a bad game and excused him for it in seeing how great his play had been up to that point.

  • January 14, 2009

    2:08 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    FatTony writes:

    Not raggin' on you jersey. That was a comment made in general, as those comments are not new to my ears (or eyes).

    What's up with his confidence? Not sure, but I'm just gonna go ahead and blame Karl on that one.

  • January 14, 2009

    2:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    FatTony: OK and no offense taken. "Clueless" can be blamed for a lot of things which I have blamed him for on a daily basis but I'm not sure if Kleiza's recent befuddlement is one of them. He's got to fight through that on his own with this being the "Big Boy's" level. I'm sure he will because in order to make it to this level in the first place you could not have been prone to being rattled and having it linger!

  • January 14, 2009

    5:55 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TYoungman writes:

    Is Mark Cuban really preaching about "The professional thing to do"? That's like Tonya Harding extolling the virtues of sportsmanship!

    Here's a thought, Mark: "The professional thing to do" would be to NOT run on to the court at Pepsi Center and start spraying saliva everywhere after the final buzzer. "Who is that, Dad?" asked my eight year old son who was at his second NBA game.

    I wanted to tell him - "that's no one son, just a drunk and classless fan"; but he will learn the truth, either on the internet, from a classmate, etc. So I had to give it to him straight - that this fool was the owner of an NBA team. SAD.

  • January 14, 2009

    6:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    Tyoungman: Appropriate analogy as to Tanya Harding. It's a shame your young man had to witness that. When it comes to fools all you can say is Lord bless them because they know not what they do!

  • January 15, 2009

    12:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    TYoungman writes:

    Amen