Anthony, Nuggets turn back Nowitzki, Mavs again

By ARNIE STAPLETON, AP Sports Writer May 6, 2:55 am EDT

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DENVER (AP)—The Dallas Mavericks’ plan to play with more hustle and muscle worked wonders until Jason Kidd’s(notes) bad pass late in the third quarter dribbled back downcourt.

Instead of watching it go out of bounds, Chauncey Billups(notes) made a beeline for the ball. He beat Jason Terry(notes) to it, then whipped it to J.R. Smith(notes) under the basket for the go-ahead score.

Game over.

Denver didn’t trail again after Smith’s bucket, which sparked the Nuggets’ 117-105 rout Tuesday night that gave them a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series that shifts to Dallas this weekend.

“That was the key play of the game,” Carmelo Anthony(notes) said. “He could’ve easily just let that ball go out of bounds, he chased it down, got J.R. the layup. We came down and we scored again and again and again. That play right there was the biggest play of the game.”

Anthony scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 10 in a 16-2 spurt the Nuggets used to start the quarter and break open a close game.

Billups said he never thought of just letting the ball go out of bounds or letting Terry beat him to it for a momentum-stuffing backcourt violation instead.

“Those are absolutely the kind of the plays you’ve got to make,” Billups said. “If you don’t make them, just try—100 percent effort. That play in a strange sort of way kind of turned the game around because it told us, that this is kind of game it’s going to be.

“We can’t really get away from these guys tonight. At that point in the game, we’ve got to make the extra plays, try to get extra possessions. That was a big play.”

And it was deja vu for the Mavericks, who also collapsed in the fourth quarter of Game 1.

“I thought we were right there again like we were the other night and just things with this team can get out of hand quickly,” said Dirk Nowitzki(notes), who scored 35 points.

“They’re so explosive. I think we kept the turnovers down but right there in that phase where they made their run, we had two or three costly ones and took two bad shots. The next thing you know, from a four-point lead it’s 14. That’s how explosive that team is. We’ve got to look at some stuff.

“It’s a tough loss. We’ve got a while to sit on this one.”

The series shifts to Dallas for Game 3 Saturday night, and the Mavericks can only hope they’re going to be as good on their home court as the Nuggets were on theirs.

Nene scored 25, Smith had 21 and Billups 18 for the Nuggets, who won for the 15th straight time at the Pepsi Center, where they haven’t lost since March 11.

The Mavericks are 17-1 at home since the All-Star break, but that one loss was to Denver.

The Mavericks now face the daunting task of having to win four of five against the Nuggets, a team they’re 0-6 against this season and one that is playing with so much confidence and efficiency.

“They’ve held serve,” Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. “We go back to Dallas and we’ve got to do the same. We’ve got a few days to regroup and work on some things.”

The Nuggets, whose six postseason wins have come by an average of 24.8 points, broke open a back-and-forth game by starting the fourth quarter on a 16-2 run, sparked by Anthony’s 10 points, to take a 102-85 lead.

“We’re just an explosive team in that way,” Billups said. “That’s just kind of what we do. That’s who we’ve been all year.”

Dallas didn’t score until Brandon Bass’s(notes) basket at the 8:36 mark, and then they went another 2 1/2 minutes without another point until two free throws by Nowitzki.

After getting pushed around in the opener, the Mavericks said they had to stand up to the bullying in Game 2 and they tinkered with their starting lineup, replacing Jose Juan Barea(notes) with Antoine Wright(notes).

They wanted to attack the rim more, but Josh Howard’s(notes) two sprained ankles sent him to the bench after six scoreless minutes.

Notes

Kenyon Martin(notes), who was slapped with a $25,000 fine for a hard foul on Nowitzki in the opener, was whistled for a double technical when he was grabbed by Ryan Hollins(notes) around his waist and tried to wrangle free. The Nuggets, who called the monetary fine overkill, also took umbrage at this whistle. … Nowitzki, whose five free throws in Game 1 drew the ire of Carlisle, went to the line 13 times, making 12.

Updated May 6, 2:55 am EDT
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Denver vs New York

Fri Nov 27, 2009, 9:00 pm EST

Dallas at Indiana

Fri Nov 27, 2009, 8:00 pm EST

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117 Comments

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  1. <i>jennifermyrick311</i>
    117. Posted by jennifermyrick311 Sat May 9 8:15pm EDT

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    That is @#$% Horse@#$% non call by the refs in game 3, @#$% bull@#$% @#$%s
  2. <i>jennifermyrick311</i>
    116. Posted by jennifermyrick311 Sat May 9 8:14pm EDT

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    That is @#$% Horse@#$% non call by the refs in game 3, @#$% bull@#$% @#$%s
  3. GHill33
    115. Posted by GHill33 Thu May 7 10:11am EDT

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    Oh you followed Detroit in that era Poyman? can't see how you could have missed the championships... your right, you must have followed them pretty closely...
  4. Mark
    114. Posted by Mark Thu May 7 9:53am EDT

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    The Mavs are fouling and losing because they're playing sloppy, lazy defense! You bet the Nugs are gonna use an aggressive offensive style that draws defensive foul calls from the refs. I would too since I know when push comes to shove, the Mavericks would rather grab a player's arm that's already halfway past them on their way to a sure layup, rather than play good positional defense. It takes LOT of energy to play good defense, and it's beginning to look as if the Mavs are either getting too old, or just lack the incentive to play defense with hustle.
    Cuban should be telling all his millionaires..."If you ain't playin' D (defense), I ain't payin' D (doe)."
    Seriously, I doubt if even that would give the players the kick in the butts they all seem to be in need of. Perhaps...no, it IS time to start looking at firings, tradings, and recruiting for next season already.
  5. GHill33
    113. Posted by GHill33 Thu May 7 9:35am EDT

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    wow, I have to say that Jail Bush and Poyman don't know anything about playoff basketball... or anything else for that matter...
  6. David G
    112. Posted by David G Thu May 7 12:09am EDT

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    Actually poyman the Pistons did win a NBA Championship in 1989, and 1990.
  7. David G
    111. Posted by David G Thu May 7 12:06am EDT

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    Johnny D, why are you talking about the Broncos????? Isn't this a comment sections for the Nuggets-Mavs game???? And when you say Denver was not in the playoffs last year people assume you are talking about the DENVER NUGGETS. I could say Dallas didn't make the playoffs last year....who am I talking about????? You basically said the city itself didn't make the playoffs last year. Maybe you should freakin pay attention to what you are talking about.
  8. poyman
    110. Posted by poyman Wed May 6 10:46pm EDT

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    No Cool, you are right.... The mid 80's Lambier led Thugs of Detroit did win games.... Don't remember that they ever won a championship in those years though (have to check my history).... Seems to me that they were always bridesmaids and never brides.... I think that the Birds and the Magic's and the MJ's took care of that honor....

    Oh, and by the way, I knew Detroit in that era, I followed Detroit in that era and I can tell you without a pause that Denver "today", is no Detroit "then" .... Sorry.

    As for the Refs.... I agree that the NBA Refs suck at virtually every level imaginable.... I honestly do not believe that there is worst officiating in professional sports than in the NBA.... I believe that they are poorly trained, that they are heavily biased and that they have far too large of ego.... I believe that some think that the people come to watch "them" instead of the "players"... I also believe that they receive directives from the League on how to call games so that the League has a pretty big voice in who advances in the playoffs.... I believe that the Gambling issue that hit them last year is just the tip of the iceberg when defining corruption of the NBA officials.... In short, I believe there is little more intellectual honesty in their profession than there is in the WWF...

    That said... I believe that Stern's minions have been instructed to favor Denver's style of play... I guess they feel like they need to build your fan base over there so that you guys don't pull a "Seattle- type Move" anytime soon.
  9. MyFury!!!
    109. Posted by MyFury!!! Wed May 6 9:56pm EDT

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    poyman.... you realize that when "altitude" strong lungs go to see level, it doesn't affect us like "sea level" lungs are affected Up here..... our endurance is just as strong if not stronger.
    The refs were equally as bad for both teams... as a matter of fact the only good calls the refs are making are the ones that say the basket is good.
    Who cares what has happened in the past... this is here and now , thuggish or not the nuggets are winning games ( Weren't the pistons thugs in the late 80's, they won too )
    Not saying the Nuggets are going to win it all but they are somewhat healthy, playing fast paced high intensity basketball and just have the advantage over the Mavs for now. home court will only be an advantage because of the fans ... NOT the Altitude or lack there of !!!
  10. Johnny D
    108. Posted by Johnny D Wed May 6 7:12pm EDT

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    my comment about Denver not making th playoffs last year was about the sad Broncos team you guys put on the field..... pay attention before you start calling anyone ingnorant....
    Dallas will even things up while here in Dallas, I don't think any of my comments have stated anything about a championship here..... I think we have the talent a deeper bench and the stats to prove it...Dallas will have to prove they can win on the road in denver which will be tough if they want to get out of this round..
    If Houston can beat LA and Dallas gets past Denver then I'll start talking about championships...
    Although it won't happen against if they face the Cavs...

    with that sparky... pay attention to what is said before you start thinking you have any clue what your talking about....must be the altitude killing your brain cells idiot
  11. JAIL BUSH
    107. Posted by JAIL BUSH Wed May 6 7:03pm EDT

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    JosephS, tell the truth, with all these vaseline and J.R. Smith's meatwhistle comments, you're gay , right. Maybe not out of the closet, but definitely thinking about it, huh.
  12. poyman
    106. Posted by poyman Wed May 6 6:36pm EDT

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    The Thugville Thugget fans are pretty funny..... They have their first good year in recorded history and they are talking all kinds of smack.... I remember after they got Iverson, they were all so happy with themselves thinking that they pulled off the trade of the century and that they were going to wipe everyone.... LOLOLOL.... They went no further in the playoffs than they did any other year "THE ONE AND DONE THUGTOWN THUGGETS"....

    Now they got Billups and while he is good and helps improve your "Bad Boy Team".... It doesn't get you anywhere close to where you guys have a Legitimate shot at the Rings... Dallas is old and quite frankly, they are over achieving this year.... It's true that Denver has beaten em good in the first two games, but take away the altitude issue, the injured players for Dallas issue, and all the help from the Refs they could have easily lost both of the first two games....

    In games 3 and 4, the older Mavs should be well rested, the floor is back to Sea Level, and the League will have probably called off the "Refs" in hopes of not looking more laughable and biased than they already have.... Look for the Mavs to even the series in Dallas.
  13. Mac
    105. Posted by Mac Wed May 6 6:17pm EDT

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    Took umbrage? Did they also threaten to challenge the ghastly fiends to a duel? Get real. Go back to journalism school or join the rest of us in the twenty first century.
  14. JAIL BUSH
    104. Posted by JAIL BUSH Wed May 6 6:16pm EDT

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    GoodOlBoyCo. That's just another name for dumb&*%$#@)(.
  15. <i>the4sparks</i>
    103. Posted by the4sparks Wed May 6 6:15pm EDT

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    Alright Johnny, your ignorance is hilarious. YES, the Nuggets did make the playoffs last year. They had over 50 wins. We have, however, sucked in the post season because of a lack of defense. That is not the case now. You are right about home court advantage, but we are one of the few teams that has a winning record on the road this season. Keep dreaming of a championship, but without physical toughness, that is all it will be, a dream. This is basketball playoffs, so keep talking football........that's the only argument you can carry right now.
  16. Joseph S
    102. Posted by Joseph S Wed May 6 6:00pm EDT

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    How bout those Nuggets. Quite the beat down they have put on the Dallas Mavaginas. When did Cuban hire Jim Carrey as the head coach? I think as a gesture of servitude, Cuban should lick on JR Smiths meatwhistle after they get swept. The Mavs are so soft and supple.
  17. GoodOleBoyCo
    101. Posted by GoodOleBoyCo Wed May 6 5:54pm EDT

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    quote from Jail Bush....is that your prison name?

    "bring it on rock pimps. you guys don't fair too well when you get away from your corner"

    Hahahahahaha, don't fair too well away from Denver?.....Except 2-0 when we play the team who's
    name rimes with phallus. Now that I think of it, you guys should rename the Mav's to the Dallas
    Phalluses. Can see the headline now "Dallas Dicks peter out in round two"
  18. <i>jamie_vasquez1970</i>
    100. Posted by jamie_vasquez1970 Wed May 6 5:31pm EDT

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    Well the Nuggets might beat the Mavs...but the sorry a** Broncos will never be as good as THE MIGHTY DALLAS COWBOYS (2009 WORLD CHAMPIONS) remember where you heard it first...lol
  19. Senor_Loser
    99. Posted by Senor_Loser Wed May 6 5:19pm EDT

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    The finals with the Nuggets against the Cavs should be a very good series. The Nuggets will need to contain James and if they can do that they will easily beat the Cavs for the Title.
  20. vincent v
    98. Posted by vincent v Wed May 6 5:04pm EDT

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    dallas cant' beat nuggets, they are so short and weak.....nuggs all the way.
  21. <i>henryaragon7</i>
    97. Posted by henryaragon7 Wed May 6 4:36pm EDT

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    Dallas is done they are weak & soft not only are they getting beat up they can't breathe in this altitude
  22. <i>henryaragon7</i>
    96. Posted by henryaragon7 Wed May 6 4:34pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Dallas is done they are weak & soft not only are they getting beat up they can't breathe in this altitude
  23. <i>henryaragon7</i>
    95. Posted by henryaragon7 Wed May 6 4:33pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    Dallas is done they are weak & soft not only are they getting beat up they can't breathe in this altitude
  24. <i>djp6661</i>
    94. Posted by djp6661 Wed May 6 4:14pm EDT

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    damn i dont think my post sent
  25. <i>djp6661</i>
    93. Posted by djp6661 Wed May 6 4:13pm EDT

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    why are mavs fans hating? have you all not watched the past 2 games and see your against a superior team? they were out matched out shot out hustled out muscled out manned, nuggets are just a better team, they come with a physical presence while the mavs are soft, they bully the mavs players, call what you want but thats good hard physical playoff basketball, mavs have never been more then a regular season team, and im not from the west but just saying what i see, and i see the mavs gettin swept maybe in 5 cause they are soft and i see the lakers going 7 cause they are soft too no team is better then the nuggets in the west right now, so i dont wanna hear none of that talk about rings cause the only team in the west with a ring right now are the rockets n lakers but houston dont have hakeem or clyde right now, every one thats a mavs fan on here needs to stop lying to themselves and see your gonna get put out, your team is past its prime it wont win should trade dirk to give a great player a shot of winning a ring, the mavs are like the new timberwolves of the late 90s n early 2000s TRADE DIRK he is too good to be on that sorry ass team that will go no where
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Dallas
D. Nowitzki Dirk Nowitzki
11-20,  35 Pts
9 Rebs, 4 Assists
 Denver
C. Anthony Carmelo Anthony
8-21,  25 Pts
5 Rebs, 5 Assists

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