Slam Dunk Central

Tonight’s game between the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors was not an exercise in false advertising; plenty of fast-break, fast-paced action was to be found as both coaches, Golden State’s Don Nelson and Denver’s George Karl, employ the same frenetic style.  Denver’s Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony orchestrated this track meet basketball game as they led the Nuggets to a 124-120 victory over the Warriors at Oracle Arena.

Denver got off to a fast start (see where this is going?), making 9 of their first 12 shots in building a 17-4 run that gave them an early 8-point lead.  Denver went crazy, scoring-wise, as they shot 60% in the first half, taking into halftime a 71-64 lead, with Anthony scoring 24 first-half points and Iverson adding 18 in the same half.  Golden State, who trailed by 11 earlier, tied it at 104 on Kelenna Azubuike’s putback on a miss less than 3 minutes into the 4th quarter. 

With the Nuggets’ lead back up to 6 and less than 3 minutes to go in the game, the Warriors’ Baron Davis got his team back into it.  Golden State’s Andris Biedrins made a layup, then Monta Ellis made a fast-break basket and then scored a basket inside, knotting the score at 118.  But Iverson would score a jumper for Denver to put the Nuggets ahead for good at 120-118 with 1:12 left.

Denver’s leading scorer was Iverson with 39 points and 6 assists, while Anthony added 30 with 8 rebounds. Marcus Camby and Linas Kleiza pitched in 15 each; Camby also grabbed 16 boards.  Golden State was led by Stephen Jackson with a very good effort, scoring 32 points despite going 9-of-27 from the floor; he also added 5 rebounds and 4 assists.  Davis added 29 with 5 rebounds and 13 assists, while Biedrins recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards.  Denver (18-11) and Golden State (17-13) play again on Sunday.

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