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Painful start, happy ending for Nuggets

Jones' injury, poor first quarter not deadly for Denver

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published January 20, 2009 at 9:33 p.m.

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Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin drives to the basket on his way to a 16-point night in Denver's 118-99 victory against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.

Photo by Garrett W. Ellwood / Nbae Via Getty Images

Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin drives to the basket on his way to a 16-point night in Denver's 118-99 victory against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.

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Pregame warm-ups didn't go well. Neither did the first quarter.

But everything else turned out just fine for the Nuggets as they overcame what Denver guard Chauncey Billups called a "trap game" with a 118-99 win against lowly Sacramento on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center.

It looked early on as if the mousetrap could snap on the Nuggets without them getting any cheese.

In pregame warm-ups, starting small forward Dahntay Jones banged into someone and suffered a separated right shoulder.

Jones sat out the game and vows he will play in the Nuggets' next game Sunday against Utah, but Nuggets officials have all but ruled him out.

Then the Nuggets fell behind 31-23 at the end of the first quarter. The final four points of the quarter were scored when Kings guard Francisco Garcia banged in a 30-foot three-pointer with half a second left, was fouled by Kenyon Martin and converted the free throw.

No wonder it was Martin who took it upon himself to get the Nuggets straightened out.

"We had lost two straight," said Martin, whose Nuggets fell behind 34-24 early in the second quarter. "There's no room for us to come out and slip up that much. . . . I just told them it was time for us to turn it around. We couldn't wait."

The Nuggets (28-15) didn't wait long to put away the Kings (10-32). They outscored them 34-16 in the second quarter and 37-28 in the third and led by as many as 30 points in the fourth.

"Looked like layup drills for them," Kings guard Bobby Jackson of the Nuggets shooting 56.3 percent. "It was layup drill central."

Forward Linas Kleiza led the Nuggets with a season-high 27 points, although 12 came during fourth-quarter garbage time. Guard Kevin Martin led Sacramento with 25 points.

Billups added 22 points for the Nuggets, including 16 in the third quarter when a sore back began to loosen up.

"I was having a little problem with my back, but, obviously, it felt a lot better," said Billups, who got a massage before the game and said medication he took before the game kicked in after halftime. "It loosened up for me at halftime. I was able to move."

Moving not as well was Jones, whose shoulder was wrapped heavily after the game. But at least X-rays were negative for a clavicle fracture, and his first-

degree separation is considered the least severe kind.

"I was just warming up," Jones said. "I forgot who I hit. But I should be ready Sunday."

Indications from the Nuggets, though, are Jones won't be back then.

"I don't remember losing a guy in pregame warm-up," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "I think we're hoping to get him back pretty quick, but I don't know if he'll be ready for Sunday."

Karl said Jones could be out in the range of a week or two. He said more will be known today.

Starting for Jones was Renaldo Balkman, and there were several good signs for him. Balkman had scored 17 points earlier this season against Sacramento in one of his two starts, and his picture was on the front of the game program.

But Balkman got off to a bad start and finished with only four points. His teammates also started poorly, but at least had a good ending.

The Nuggets got 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists from guard J.R. Smith and center Nene yanked down 12 rebounds.

"It was a struggle early," said Karl, who said Monday's tough 115-113 loss at Houston might have carried initially over.

"But I think, once the momentum got on our side, good things started to happen pretty consistently,"

Except maybe with the officials. Karl was called for a technical with 1:06 left in the game and the Nuggets leading 118-92, which brought laughs from the crowd.

"The guy double-dribbled right in front of (official) Marc Davis," Karl said. "I said you just saw a double-dribble and didn't call it. No cuss. No profanity. I think he was just annoyed I was still chirping with a minute to go in the game."

All in all, though, it was a good day for Karl. He called the inauguration of Barack Obama as the nation's first black president uplifting.

Kenyon Martin said he wore all black to the game as a tribute to Obama.

"It's a great day in American history," he said. "Americans never thought they'd see an African- American in the White House."

The night didn't start out as well for the Nuggets. But Kenyon Martin soon got them straightened out.

Comments

  • January 20, 2009

    9:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    wjrudy writes:

    Nothing like feasting on a fast-sinking ship to get over a disappointing loss(excuse the mixed metaphor). Of course - there are never assurances... as we remember against OKCity. On the other hand, the Thunder and the Kings are going in opposite directions right now (which is a good thing - I hope the Thunder keep going forward and continue to develop a solid fan base). Anyway, it's a good night... GK even let the bottom of the order come up to bat. Nice. Hope Jones is OK.

  • January 21, 2009

    6:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    dilligaf writes:

    Slip over to MSN and look at the power rankings. Then go down and read what it says about the Pistons. "Pistons keep falling apart at the end of games. You think they miss Mr. Big Shot?" Sound familiar. Now you got the best of the trade?

  • January 21, 2009

    7:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    Great second quarter last night! Birdman is more and more impressive with each game. I was dogging him at the beginning of the season but he's really improved a lot since he came back from suspension.

    Good to see Balkman in the starting lineup (even though he didn't do much!) and also nice to see Weems and Petro get a few minutes at the end of the game. They both need to pass a little more though. They took some fugly shots.

    Get well soon DJ and hopefully we'll see you on Sunday night.

    GO NUGS!

  • January 21, 2009

    7:29 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_KIMN_Chicken writes:

    They likey a happy ending, they loved them long time.

  • January 21, 2009

    8:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    spokenwar writes:

    it would be nice to get the whole team into the rotation. it looks like we traded atkins (bench) to get petro (bench). at least we knew atkins could play. it looks like petro has no one's confidence. this is another way of saying the nuggs have to play against the opposing team; the referees; AND the front office. the hope of getting martin and nene a breather has turned into a fantasy. if we had kept samb we would have had a shot blocker on the floor. i mean, karl didn't play petro until 7:57 left in the fourth. that's pathetic. he should have at least started the 4th quarter.

  • January 21, 2009

    10:01 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    lynnie62 writes:

    I didn't get to watch a lot of the game but I did manage to see the ally oop from AC to Bird. THAT WAS FUN! I think Bird Man was surprised by it too.
    Hurry back DJ!
    Anyone hear how Mello's hand is healing?

  • January 21, 2009

    10:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    Kmeissner: I'm with you as to "Birdman". Like I previously posted his play is now resulting in substance rather than unbridled flash. It's one thing to be a fan favorite but all glitter and no gold wears thin in a heartbeat! Other than overcoming a few dicey moments to secure this win it was nothing to write home about. Every win is a good and much needed win and I was glad to see we took care of business like better teams do when facing an inferior team rather than playing down to their level like we did with OKC. Glad to see Balkman in the starting lineup but sorry it had to come at DJ's expense in being injured. Glad to hear he is anticipated to come back vs Utah on Sunday. In facing that team we need all hands on deck. Rest up boys the next 4 days you've earned it!

  • January 21, 2009

    10:08 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    lynnie62: I thought they said 1/28/09 @ NO as to Melo's return. I could be wrong. If not that would be great.

  • January 21, 2009

    10:12 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    They said last night that Melo hopes to be back by the 30th, which would be the Charlotte game. FYI...

  • January 21, 2009

    10:29 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    Now that I think about it who knows for sure if ding & ling of Altitude is making the call as to Melo. If those two buffoons were to tell me what day of the week it was I would still check the calandar!

  • January 21, 2009

    11:27 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    Haha! Well I think the trainer had also said the 30th if that helps. And I don't mind Scott. It's Chris who gets to me.

    That drive was certainly a candidate!

  • January 21, 2009

    11:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    lynnie62 writes:

    I love Scott, he makes me laugh. I liked him and Al on the radio but the windsor tornado took out my car antenna and I don't get many stations anymore. I suppose I should get that fixed.

  • January 21, 2009

    12:01 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    denversportsfan writes:

    It's nice to see the Nuggs beat the teams they are supposed to this year. I just know they are going to win those games against sub .500 teams and it's a good feeling. It's been a while since we've had that luxury. Although they are having troubles with the better teams, they probably win against Det, NO and Hou with Melo in the lineup. At least win 2 out of 3.

    Where are all of the AC haters? I've always liked the guy because of his hard play, but agree he isn't the prototypical PG that most teams want. He is no Chauncey, but he did help us get to 50 wins last year playing a ton of minutes. I do like him as our backup PG.

    I think George has been the reading the message boards because he is showing more fire than ever since he's been here. He's yelling and riding the Ref's while pacing the sidelines. Maybe he can change my mind about how I feel about him this year, especially if we get past the 1st round of the playoffs. I think a lot has to do with his health and that he just may have more energy.

  • January 21, 2009

    12:23 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    We all have our likes and dislikes and when it comes to announcers it's no different. "Mushmouth" Hastings comes across as if he has a speech impediment. He makes the "Mouth That Roars" Shannon Sharpe sound eloquent! How the both of them were able to pass Oratory Class 101 is beyond me. Had to be "Mail Order"!

  • January 21, 2009

    12:24 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Jonnbear writes:

    George is showing a little more fire, but his ego still gets in the way. I'm still an AC hater, and it's not so much that I hate him. It's just that Karl uses him too much over players that I think would be more productive. However, AC played well last night and it was good to see but it's one game. If he keeps it up, I'll admit I was wrong.

  • January 21, 2009

    12:41 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jersey writes:

    "Clueless"..... Now showing more energy? It's about time! Heck, prior to lately I've seen more energy shown by the denizens of Peaceful Rest Nursing Home! I'm betting the stimulus is the increasing of the daily intake of Oreos and twinkies!

  • January 21, 2009

    1:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    How about AC last night? He played pretty well. And I don't think I've ever seen a PG jump as high as he did last night when he ended up cutting his eye open in the 3rd.

    I also agree that GK is showing a little more fire recently. I like the fact that he complained about the double dribble call with under 2 minutes to play. Who cares if the game has been decided? These refs still need to make the calls.