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Iverson helps Nuggets outlast Clippers

Nov 1, 2008 - 6:36 AM By John Reger PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Allen Iverson scored 25 points, including six straight in overtime, as the Denver Nuggets outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers to claim a 113-103 victory on Friday.

Iverson was held to just four points in the first half but came alive in the third quarter, scoring 21 points in the final 24 minutes to help the Nuggets erase an 18-point halftime deficit.

"I played better than I have this season," Iverson said. "I am fortunate to share the victory with a team that never gave up."

Tim Thomas, who had 20 points and seven rebounds, gave the Clippers a 94-92 lead on a jumper in the lane with 16 seconds to play in the fourth.

Linas Kleiza was fouled driving to the basket on the ensuing possession and made both free throws to tie the game. Both teams had an opportunity to take the lead in the closing seconds but neither converted.

After Al Thornton, who had 30 points and 11 rebounds, gave Los Angeles a quick 96-94 lead on the first possession of overtime, J.R. Smith converted a three-point play to put the Nuggets on top by one.

Chris Kaman's hook gave the Clippers the advantage before Iverson scored on three consecutive trips to give the Nuggets a 103-98 advantage, which Los Angeles failed to overcome.

"Every loss is tough, this one especially because we had the lead," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "At times we had good looks and executed shots well and then in the end of the fourth quarter we were just giving up too many easy buckets."

Clippers guard Baron Davis, who was guarding Iverson for most of the first quarter, was injured with 9:30 left in the second when he went to the floor hard after trying to block a shot by Nuggets guard Dahntay Jones.

"He was able to stand up and walk on his own after being injured," Dunleavy said. "I asked him if he needed to come out of the game and he said, 'Yes.'"

Davis left the court and went to the locker room for treatment of a sore left hip and didn't return. He finished with six points. Team officials said he was questionable for Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz.

"It sounded bad at first," Thomas said. "But he got up, and that is a good thing. He is walking and did not have to get carried off so that's also a good thing."

The Nuggets earned their first win of the season despite being without forward Carmelo Anthony, who was serving the second of his two-game suspension handed down by the team for his driving under the influence arrest last spring.

"Our defense really stepped it up," said Denver center Nene, who had 22 points and 11 rebounds. "In the second half, we corrected all of our mistakes and moved the ball quicker."

The Clippers looked like they would rebound from the devastating 38-point loss to the cross-town rival Los Angeles Lakers during their season opener Wednesday, forging an eight-point lead after the first - the same amount they led by entering the final quarter.

"Typical Clippers," Kaman said. "We have to change our mindset."