Efficient three-point shooting helps Denver Nuggets defeat Oklahoma City Thunder
Playing without their two best players, the Oklahoma City Thunder (3-3) couldn’t keep up with the Denver Nuggets (4-2), losing 130-115 in a pre-season game last night in Denver.
Facing a Thunder team that did not include Kevin Durant or Russell Westbrook, the Nuggets managed to win the game thanks to some hot shooting from behind the arc. They scored 13 three-pointers
on 29 attempts, including five from J.R. Smith, pushing them past the Thunder.
“I thought we got a little happy making threes, but we were making them,” said Denver coach George Karl. “It’s not my favorite way to win, but the game was probably a little lopsided from
an offensive-defensive energy.”
The Nuggets were led by 22 points from point guard Arron Afflalo while Carmelo Anthony, whose future with the Nuggets is uncertain at best, continued his impressive pre-season campaign
with 21 points and nine rebounds.
Afflalo said his team shouldn’t rely solely on outside shooting.
“It’ll definitely be a weapon, but I don’t think just because we’re small we should just shoot threes,” he said. “Being small will also allow us to penetrate and get to the basket. It
should be a combination of both.”
Smith, a streaky shooter, got hot last night, scoring 21 points. The shooting guard also posted seven rebounds and five assists. Chauncey Billups added 15 points and eight assists.
Jeff Green led the Thunder with 29 points while Byron Mullens and James Harden each added 14. D.J. White finished with a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.
The Thunder, who shot 8-28 from behind the arc, managed to keep the game close in the first half, entering the third quarter down 68-65. But the Nuggets dominated the third frame, outscoring
the Thunder 28-17 to take a 14-point lead into the final quarter. Two made free throws by Oklahoma City’s Elijah Millsap brought the Thunder to within nine points with 5:42 remaining but that’s as close as they would get. A pair of dunks by Renaldo Balkman
of the Nuggets put his team up 123-107 and the game was over.
“I was highly disappointed at halftime, but I was highly happy after the third quarter,” Karl said.
The Nuggets also had numerous key players sitting this one out. But unlike the Thunder, who sat out Durant and Westbrook to give them some rest, the Nuggets are dealing with serious injury
issues.
Al Harrington (foot), Kenyon Martin (knee), and Chris Andersen (knee) did not suit up for last night’s game. It is unknown when Martin will return while Andersen should be ready to go
sometime in November. And although he is being very cautious about it, Harrington said he may play in one of his team’s remaining pre-season games.
“That’s capital M, capital A, capital Y,” Harrington said. “We’ll see. I’m just going to take it day by day and see how it responds.”
Meanwhile, a source told ESPN.com Tuesday that the New York Knicks are in renewed talks with the Nuggets in their ongoing efforts to acquire Anthony, who is yet to sign a contract extension
with his current team.
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