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Kinsey, Atkins lead Grizzlies to 20th win, defeat Nuggets

Apr 15, 2007 - 4:43 AM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- For a guy who was an afterthought over a month ago, rookie Tarence Kinsey has made a name for himself late in the season.

Kinsey matched his career high with 28 points and Chucky Atkins also added 28 as the Memphis Grizzlies posted a 133-118 victory over the Denver Nuggets, snapping their season-high eight-game winning streak.

Hakim Warrick had 20 points and 11 rebounds and Pau Gasol added 15, eight and 10 assists for Memphis, which became the last NBA team to reach 20 victories.

"I thought we shot the ball really well," Grizzlies coach Tony Barone said. "We also did a good job passing the ball. ... I felt Pau did a great job passing the ball tonight. This was one of our better games we played this season."

Kinsey finished 10-of-18 from the floor and Atkins shot 4-of-6 from 3-point range for the Grizzlies, who ended a six-game losing streak. It was the seventh 20-plus point game for Kinsey, who had just one double-digit scoring contest prior to March 12.

"It's been an unbelievable time," Kinsey said. "The season's coming to an end, but I wish it wouldn't. For me, I'm finally getting time to play. I'm helping my team, and I can see myself getting better out there every game. I just want to see how much better I can get going into next year."

With the scored tied at 95-95 entering the fourth quarter, Denver scored four points in the first 58 seconds of the period before being outscored, 38-19, the rest of the way.

"We got the ball to the right people at the right time in the fourth quarter," Atkins said. "we scored 38 points and got to the free-throw line a lot. That's how we came up with the W."

Atkins and Kinsey had 11 and 10, respectively, in the final quarter for Memphis, which shot 58 percent (48-of-83).

"This feels good," Atkins said. "I wanted to win and break the Nuggets' win streak. We had a good crowd, and it feels great to get this win at home."

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and Nene added 22 and 10 boards for the Nuggets, who shot 52 percent (45-of-86) and also lost for the first time in six road games.

"We've been playing real well, so we have to forget about this one and just focus on finishing the season strong heading into the playoffs," said Anthony, who was held scoreless in the final period.

"We played one end of the court," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "We played no defense. We never had the attitude to win the game."