Jan

3

Nuggets Minus Melo And Billups Pound Jazz 105-95

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap 

Ty Lawson

One would think that if you are an NBA team that is without two of its offensive stars, chances are that winning games would be hard to come by. It even applies to the Denver Nuggets as they, prior to their game against the Utah Jazz at Energy Solutions Arena, were without Carmelo Anthony (knee contusion) and Chauncey Billups (groin).

Which proves that there can be an exception to the rule sometimes as Saturday would find the hero for the Nuggets being Ty Lawson; he scored 23 points, leading Denver to a 105-95 road win over Utah.

The Jazz shot 50 percent in the first half, but turned the ball over 12 times — leading to 17 points by the Nuggets. When Carlos Boozer’s shot at the buzzer was waved off after a replay, Denver led 51-47 at halftime. Lawson and Nene Hilario scored 11 apiece in the half. Denver would stick with what had gotten them that far in the third quarter. They kept Utah on the perimeter and swatted away the ball when the Jazz weren’t paying attention. Hilario took two steals in for dunks during the period, including one that put Denver up 69-59 and kicked off an 8-0 run.

Hilario added two from the foul line, J.R. Smith followed with two free throws, then grabbed an offensive rebound on a missed free throw and hit a 3-pointer for a 75-59 lead with 3:36 left in the third. The Jazz added to their own struggles by committing nine fouls and nine turnovers in the period, and Denver took advantage for a 78-68 lead entering the fourth.

Deron Williams got the Jazz within 86-77 on a three-point play, but the Nuggets answered that with a 6-0 run. Hilario put back an offensive rebound, Chris Andersen hit a jumper and Anthony Carter drove for a layup that put the Nuggets up 92-77 with 7:20 left in the game. Denver kept Utah from rallying until there wasn’t enough time for a comeback. 

Lawson led the Nuggets with 23 points, 2 rebounds, 9 assists and 3 steals while Hilario added 22 with 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals; Smith came off the bench to score 18 with 2 rebounds and 4 assists while Kenyon Martin earned a double-double, scoring 12 with 12 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals.

The Jazz was led by Boozer with 18 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and a block while Mehmet Okur and Williams added 16 apiece – with Okur grabbing 9 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists along with 3 blocks while Williams grabbed 5 boards, dished out 6 assists along with a block.

Denver (21-12) plays again on Sunday when they host the Philadelphia 76ers while Utah (18-15) remains at home to host the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night.


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