casper
01-09-2010, 08:42 AM
MARTIN HELPS CARMELO-LESS NUGGETS EDGE CAVALIERS
THE SPORTS NETWORK
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Kenyon Martin ended with 19 points and 12 rebounds and was big down the stretch, as the Carmelo Anthony-less Denver Nuggets topped Cleveland, 99-97, at Pepsi Center.
Chauncey Billups, who missed eight of the previous nine games with a groin strain, donated a team-high 23 points, while Nene scored 20 for the Nuggets, winners in three of their last four. Anthony missed a fourth straight game due to a bruised right knee.
LeBron James logged 35 points, seven assists and six rebounds, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Mo Williams each netted 11 points, as the Cavaliers dropped their first road game in six tries. They have now lost two of three overall.
Each team had runs in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets scored the first eight in the frame to go up 77-73 2:18 in, and the Cavs responded with a 12-2 run later on, as James' finger-roll gave the visitors an 89-86 lead with 3:43 remaining.
After trading baskets, Arron Afflalo hit a three-pointer from the right side to tie the game with 1:33 to play. After Anderson Varejao was whistled for an offensive foul, Martin hit a jumper and foiled James' drive to the basket at the other end.
J.R. Smith's trey from the left side resulted in a 96-91 Denver lead with 31.6 seconds left, and the hosts were able to hang on despite James making two three-pointers in the final 11.8 seconds.
Denver led 30-24 after the first and trailed 49-48 at halftime.
Billups scored 11 points in the first five minutes of the third quarter, as his jumper had the Nuggets on top 61-56 at the 7:06 mark.
Afflalo converted a three-point play two minutes later, but Denver netted just one field goal the rest of the frame, which ended with the Cavs on top, 73-69.
Game Notes
Chris Andersen, nursing an ankle injury, had eight points and six rebounds for the Nuggets, who were also without rookie guard Ty Lawson (ankle)...Varejao ended with nine points and 15 rebounds, as the Cavs won the battle on the glass, 45-33...Shaquille O'Neal scored 10 points in the loss.
THE SPORTS NETWORK
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Kenyon Martin ended with 19 points and 12 rebounds and was big down the stretch, as the Carmelo Anthony-less Denver Nuggets topped Cleveland, 99-97, at Pepsi Center.
Chauncey Billups, who missed eight of the previous nine games with a groin strain, donated a team-high 23 points, while Nene scored 20 for the Nuggets, winners in three of their last four. Anthony missed a fourth straight game due to a bruised right knee.
LeBron James logged 35 points, seven assists and six rebounds, while Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Mo Williams each netted 11 points, as the Cavaliers dropped their first road game in six tries. They have now lost two of three overall.
Each team had runs in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets scored the first eight in the frame to go up 77-73 2:18 in, and the Cavs responded with a 12-2 run later on, as James' finger-roll gave the visitors an 89-86 lead with 3:43 remaining.
After trading baskets, Arron Afflalo hit a three-pointer from the right side to tie the game with 1:33 to play. After Anderson Varejao was whistled for an offensive foul, Martin hit a jumper and foiled James' drive to the basket at the other end.
J.R. Smith's trey from the left side resulted in a 96-91 Denver lead with 31.6 seconds left, and the hosts were able to hang on despite James making two three-pointers in the final 11.8 seconds.
Denver led 30-24 after the first and trailed 49-48 at halftime.
Billups scored 11 points in the first five minutes of the third quarter, as his jumper had the Nuggets on top 61-56 at the 7:06 mark.
Afflalo converted a three-point play two minutes later, but Denver netted just one field goal the rest of the frame, which ended with the Cavs on top, 73-69.
Game Notes
Chris Andersen, nursing an ankle injury, had eight points and six rebounds for the Nuggets, who were also without rookie guard Ty Lawson (ankle)...Varejao ended with nine points and 15 rebounds, as the Cavs won the battle on the glass, 45-33...Shaquille O'Neal scored 10 points in the loss.