casper
12-15-2009, 11:18 AM
ANTHONY PACES NUGGETS OVER THUNDER
SPORTS NETWORK
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points, as the Denver Nuggets posted a 102-93 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center.
In a duel between teams led by young stars, Anthony's performance was essentially equaled by Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, who ended with 32 points and 10 rebounds.
But the Nuggets' surrounding cast outplayed that of the Thunder, particularly the bench. J.R. Smith ended with 19 points while Chris Andersen ended with 15 points and 11 boards for Denver, which has won two in a row.
The Nuggets, who made 34-of-40 free throws, also got 13 points from Nene along with 12 points and seven assists from Chauncey Billups.
"This is one of the better games where we didn't give them any hope," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "We didn't give them a lot of confidence. We didn't bust the game out like maybe we wanted to, but sustaining it, on film it will show we did a lot of good things."
Russell Westbrook had 14 points, six assists and six rebounds for the Thunder, who have dropped two in a row. Nick Collison also had 14 points, and Thabo Sefolosha added 11.
Denver held a 25-23 lead after the first quarter, during which Anthony scored 13 points. The Nuggets began widening their lead by opening the second with five consecutive points, and a pair of Andersen free throws nearing the midway point made it a 36-26 game.
Denver then scored the last five points of the half, as Billups' three and a layup by Smith put the Nuggets up 55-40 at the break.
"They turned it up defensively," admitted Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "That's a great team over there. When they're a special team, they're aggressive."
A Durant slam got the Thunder within 61-50 almost midway through the third, but Anthony and Nene answered with baskets, and a Billups free throw got the Denver lead to 66-50.
The Nuggets took a 74-61 lead into the fourth, which they opened with five consecutive points. The Thunder didn't get within single digits until the final minute, and Denver made 15-of-18 free throws in the final period to seal the victory.
Game Notes
Oklahoma City sank 26-of-31 free throws...Denver shot 40 percent from the field, and Oklahoma City made 39.2 percent of its shots...The Thunder had 21 turnovers to Denver's 18.
SPORTS NETWORK
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points, as the Denver Nuggets posted a 102-93 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Pepsi Center.
In a duel between teams led by young stars, Anthony's performance was essentially equaled by Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, who ended with 32 points and 10 rebounds.
But the Nuggets' surrounding cast outplayed that of the Thunder, particularly the bench. J.R. Smith ended with 19 points while Chris Andersen ended with 15 points and 11 boards for Denver, which has won two in a row.
The Nuggets, who made 34-of-40 free throws, also got 13 points from Nene along with 12 points and seven assists from Chauncey Billups.
"This is one of the better games where we didn't give them any hope," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "We didn't give them a lot of confidence. We didn't bust the game out like maybe we wanted to, but sustaining it, on film it will show we did a lot of good things."
Russell Westbrook had 14 points, six assists and six rebounds for the Thunder, who have dropped two in a row. Nick Collison also had 14 points, and Thabo Sefolosha added 11.
Denver held a 25-23 lead after the first quarter, during which Anthony scored 13 points. The Nuggets began widening their lead by opening the second with five consecutive points, and a pair of Andersen free throws nearing the midway point made it a 36-26 game.
Denver then scored the last five points of the half, as Billups' three and a layup by Smith put the Nuggets up 55-40 at the break.
"They turned it up defensively," admitted Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "That's a great team over there. When they're a special team, they're aggressive."
A Durant slam got the Thunder within 61-50 almost midway through the third, but Anthony and Nene answered with baskets, and a Billups free throw got the Denver lead to 66-50.
The Nuggets took a 74-61 lead into the fourth, which they opened with five consecutive points. The Thunder didn't get within single digits until the final minute, and Denver made 15-of-18 free throws in the final period to seal the victory.
Game Notes
Oklahoma City sank 26-of-31 free throws...Denver shot 40 percent from the field, and Oklahoma City made 39.2 percent of its shots...The Thunder had 21 turnovers to Denver's 18.