<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">The Denver Nuggets tried to pull away several times late in regulation and in overtime. Quentin Richardson wouldn't let them. Richardson hit a 3-pointer with 5.5 seconds left and scored six of his 23 points in overtime, lifting the Los Angeles Clippers to a 104-102 win over Denver on Friday night. "We let Quentin roll," said Corey Maggette, who had 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers. "He went down there and made some big post-up shots. He was the guy that we needed. He does it for us every night." Chris Wilcox had 12 points and 12 rebounds for Los Angeles, which got its first win after opening the season with a pair of losses to Seattle in Japan. Marko Jaric added 13 points and eight assists. Denver rookie Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points, most of those coming early and late. He had 14 points on 4-of-6 shooting in the first quarter, but was 2-for-11 the next three after Los Angeles started double-teaming him. Anthony found his shot again in overtime, hitting three 3-pointers and an off-balance jumper to finish with 11 in the extra period. He also had five rebounds and four assists. "I don't know what happened," Anthony said. "I hit my first 3 and that gave me a little confidence. In the overtime, once I hit my first shot and hit the second one, I felt pretty good." So did Richardson. He sent the game into overtime with a 3-pointer from the corner, saying something to Denver's bench and slapping his rearend as if riding a horse as he backed down the court. In overtime, Richardson answered Anthony's first 3-pointer with a shot in the lane, then scored on a scoop shot after Anthony's leaning jumper put the Nuggets up 96-92. He added another shot in the lane to tie it 96-all. "Quentin has the ability to shoot the ball well from the 3, and he had touches," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. Maggette followed Richardson's final shot with a breakaway dunk with 58 seconds left, then Jaric made it 100-96 with a driving layup after Anthony was called for palming. Anthony missed a 3-pointer on Denver's next trip, but Jon Barry grabbed the rebound and kicked it out to Anthony for 3 that made it 100-99. Denver called timeout after Melvin Ely made one free throw with 16 seconds left, but Earl Boykins took matters into his own hands and launched a 27-foot jump shot. It missed, and Maggette streaked to the other end to put the Clippers up 103-99 with 5.3 seconds left. "It seemed like it was pulling teeth out there," said Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik, who could only shake his head as he watched Maggette go in for the dunk. But it still wasn't over. Andre Miller hit a 3-pointer from the corner with 3.5 seconds left to cut Los Angeles' lead to one, then Maggette hit one of two free throws with 2.7 seconds left. Denver got the ball to Boykins, but his desperation shot from midcourt wasn't close. "At least it was an exciting game," Dunleavy said.</div> Full Story Box Score
Hell of a good game for Carmelo. 30 points on 10/24, including 4/7 from 3 pt range and 6/7 from the free throw line. Plus, the 5 boards and 4 assists aren't too bad either. But, they lost, so, all in all, a game gone to waste.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Moo2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Hell of a good game for Carmelo. 30 points on 10/24, including 4/7 from 3 pt range and 6/7 from the free throw line. Plus, the 5 boards and 4 assists aren't too bad either. But, they lost, so, all in all, a game gone to waste.</div> Every good player needs a good team.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting SBD:</div><div class="quote_post">Every good player needs a good team.</div> Yea, that's far too true. And, unfortunately, his team ain't that good yet. Give em a few years though, and, I think, they could be good. The biggest thing that will hold them back from being good in a few years is one thing, the fact that they play in the West.
The Nuggets are plenty good enough in my opinion..Although they will be better in a few years and they continue to improve. Melo played a good game..and dominated in OT...Nuggets should of won the game in the 4th..but Richardson hit a big three to send it into an overtime period.. So Nuggets were indeed seconds away from going 4-2..It happens.
you guys have no idea how badly we gave this game away. most of it wasnt melos fault although he missed a dunk. part of being a young team. in 2 years we win this type of game 100% of the time.
