Slam Dunk Central

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Thursday’s game between the Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets was what you’d expect between these two teams: lots of scoring and defense being an afterthought.? Also add into the mix the fact that someone other than Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets in scoring.? That unlikely someone was Linas Kleiza; he scored a career-high 41 points, leading Denver to the victory over Utah 120-109 at Denver.

The Nuggets trailed by 6 early, but rallied to take a 31-28 after one period.? Denver’s Kleiza got the Nuggets rolling in the second quarter, hitting back-to-back treys and scoring 8 points in the first 4:09 of the period as Denver took a 45-35 edge.? But Utah’s Kyle Korver brought Utah back with 8 points of his own - including 2 three-pointers whcih sparked a 10-0 Jazz run to tie it up with 4:40 left in the half.? Despite Korver’s heroics, Denver went into halftime leading 61-59.? The Nuggets’ Kleiza scored 27 first-half points.

Kleiza had 36 at the end of the third quarter, when the Nuggets held a 98-88 lead; Denver quickly extended their lead in the fourth quarter when J.R. Smith?scored 4 straight points and Marcus Camby dunked to make it 106-91 early in the period.? Unfortunately for the Jazz, they would get no closer than 13 the rest of the contest.? Denver was led by the aforementioned Kleiza with a career-high 41 - including 4 treys - with 9 rebounds and a steal; Allen Iverson added 28 with 4 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals.? Carmelo Anthony pitched in with 23.

Utah’s leading scorer was Deron Williams with 23 points, 5 rebounds and 12 assists, while Carlos Boozer added 18 and 11 boards.? Mehmet Okur?and Korver chipped in with 16 each - Korver also had 4 treys.? Denver (23-15) continues their homestand by hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves Saturday night, while Utah (22-18) returns home to host the Los Angeles Clippers Friday night.