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Max Power · 11-23-2003, 09:42 AM

Nuggets can't keep up with Mavericks
By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News
November 22, 2003

DALLAS - For a change, the Denver Nuggets got their running game going on the road. But it's hard to outrun the Dallas Mavericks.

The Nuggets played one of their better road games of the season Saturday night at the American Airlines Center. However, the Mavericks came back from a six-point halftime deficit to win 115-101.

Yes, the Nuggets had won two road games earlier this season, but they were at lowly Cleveland and Chicago. Those also were the only road games in which the Nuggets scored more than 85 points, getting 105 at Chicago and 95 at Cleveland.

Entering Saturday's game, the Nuggets were averaging just 82.5 points on the road compared to 99.8 at home. But while the Nuggets (7-6) got their fast break going Saturday, so did the Mavericks (9-4), especially in the second half.

The Mavericks outscored the Nuggets 61-41 after trailing 60-54 at halftime. A key moment was a 9-2 spurt at the start of the fourth period that extended an 86-80 lead to 95-82.

"Four our fourth game in five nights, we competed hard,’’ said Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik. "We feel good about ourselves. We feel what we didn’t do we can correct."

There were plenty of problems for the Nuggets in the second half. Dallas reserve forward Antawn Jamison had 20 of his game-best 26 points, forward Dirk Nowitzki had 16 of his 19 points and forward Antonie Walker had 14 of his 25.

Nowitzki had an uncharacteristic three points in the first half while shooting 0-for-6. But the Nuggets couldn't stop him nor much of anyone after intermission.

Carrying the Mavericks in the third period was Walker, who had 11 points. Dallas took control of the game in the period, outscoring the Nuggets 32-20.

"He had the whole package going," Dallas coach Don Nelson said of Walker, who also had 14 rebounds and six assists.

The Mavericks never trailed in the fourth. They led by as many as 15 points.

Point guard Andre Miller led the Nuggets with 22 points, but had just four in the second half. Guard Jon Barry added 20 points and forward Carmelo Anthony and guard Voshon Lenard each had 16.

"We competed really well," Anthony said. "Overall, we did a pretty good job."

Forward Ryan Bowen went to the locker room after the third period with a right shin contusion, and did not return. However, the injury was not said to be serious.

In the first half, the Nuggets initially had problems in the halfcourt game against the Mavericks' zone. But they then had success when they were able to get out on the break.

Early on, it looked as if the Mavericks might blow out the Nuggets. They moved out to several nine-point leads, the latest in the period's final minute. Denver Guard Earl Boykins was able to cut the first-period deficit to 32-25 on a jumper just before the buzzer.

The key in the first period was Mavericks point guard Steve Nash, who scored 14 of his 18 points. Nash was 4-of-4 from three-point range.

In the second period, though, Nash only got two points. That's when his counterpart, Miller, took over, scoring 11 points.
With Miller and Barry, who had nine points in the period, playing well, the Nuggets mounted a strong comeback. They outscored the Mavericks 35-22 in the period to take their 60-54 lead into the locker room at halftime.

However, Miller was held scoreless in the third period as the Nuggets again took over the game. Walker was the difference in the period.

Walker's short jumper gave the Mavericks lead for good at 79-77 with 1 minute, 56 seconds left in the period. And Walker followed with a three-pointer to put the Mavericks up 82-77 with 1:43 and get the crowd really into the game.

For the fourth game in a row, the Nuggets were without power forward Nene, who has a groin strain. Bzdelik said he is hopeful that Nene will practice Monday and play Tuesday at the Pepsi Center against Phoenix.

11-23-2003, 09:42 AM	#243
Max Power Banned Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 2,640	RE:Mavs vs. Nuggets Gameday Thread Nuggets can't keep up with Mavericks By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News November 22, 2003 DALLAS - For a change, the Denver Nuggets got their running game going on the road. But it's hard to outrun the Dallas Mavericks. The Nuggets played one of their better road games of the season Saturday night at the American Airlines Center. However, the Mavericks came back from a six-point halftime deficit to win 115-101. Yes, the Nuggets had won two road games earlier this season, but they were at lowly Cleveland and Chicago. Those also were the only road games in which the Nuggets scored more than 85 points, getting 105 at Chicago and 95 at Cleveland. Entering Saturday's game, the Nuggets were averaging just 82.5 points on the road compared to 99.8 at home. But while the Nuggets (7-6) got their fast break going Saturday, so did the Mavericks (9-4), especially in the second half. The Mavericks outscored the Nuggets 61-41 after trailing 60-54 at halftime. A key moment was a 9-2 spurt at the start of the fourth period that extended an 86-80 lead to 95-82. "Four our fourth game in five nights, we competed hard,’’ said Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik. "We feel good about ourselves. We feel what we didn’t do we can correct." There were plenty of problems for the Nuggets in the second half. Dallas reserve forward Antawn Jamison had 20 of his game-best 26 points, forward Dirk Nowitzki had 16 of his 19 points and forward Antonie Walker had 14 of his 25. Nowitzki had an uncharacteristic three points in the first half while shooting 0-for-6. But the Nuggets couldn't stop him nor much of anyone after intermission. Carrying the Mavericks in the third period was Walker, who had 11 points. Dallas took control of the game in the period, outscoring the Nuggets 32-20. "He had the whole package going," Dallas coach Don Nelson said of Walker, who also had 14 rebounds and six assists. The Mavericks never trailed in the fourth. They led by as many as 15 points. Point guard Andre Miller led the Nuggets with 22 points, but had just four in the second half. Guard Jon Barry added 20 points and forward Carmelo Anthony and guard Voshon Lenard each had 16. "We competed really well," Anthony said. "Overall, we did a pretty good job." Forward Ryan Bowen went to the locker room after the third period with a right shin contusion, and did not return. However, the injury was not said to be serious. In the first half, the Nuggets initially had problems in the halfcourt game against the Mavericks' zone. But they then had success when they were able to get out on the break. Early on, it looked as if the Mavericks might blow out the Nuggets. They moved out to several nine-point leads, the latest in the period's final minute. Denver Guard Earl Boykins was able to cut the first-period deficit to 32-25 on a jumper just before the buzzer. The key in the first period was Mavericks point guard Steve Nash, who scored 14 of his 18 points. Nash was 4-of-4 from three-point range. In the second period, though, Nash only got two points. That's when his counterpart, Miller, took over, scoring 11 points. With Miller and Barry, who had nine points in the period, playing well, the Nuggets mounted a strong comeback. They outscored the Mavericks 35-22 in the period to take their 60-54 lead into the locker room at halftime. However, Miller was held scoreless in the third period as the Nuggets again took over the game. Walker was the difference in the period. Walker's short jumper gave the Mavericks lead for good at 79-77 with 1 minute, 56 seconds left in the period. And Walker followed with a three-pointer to put the Mavericks up 82-77 with 1:43 and get the crowd really into the game. For the fourth game in a row, the Nuggets were without power forward Nene, who has a groin strain. Bzdelik said he is hopeful that Nene will practice Monday and play Tuesday at the Pepsi Center against Phoenix.