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Iverson, Nuggets hammer shorthanded Clippers

Dec 1, 2007 - 7:10 AM By Blake Redabaugh PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Denver Nuggets were happy to be playing against a team that is having to deal with more injuries than they are this season.

Allen Iverson scored 26 points and Carmelo Anthony added 24 as the Nuggets dealt the Los Angeles Clippers their fourth straight loss, 123-107, on Friday night at the Pepsi Center.

J.R. Smith netted 22 points for the Nuggets, who snapped a three-game skid.

"It's always good getting a win after losing three in a row," Anthony said. "I was proud of the effort we gave tonight."

Sam Cassell missed his first game of the season for Los Angeles, which has also been without guard Shaun Livingston and All-Star forward Elton Brand for the entire campaign.

Cassell missed the game due to a strained left calf, which he injured in the first quarter of Monday night's game against Houston.

The Nuggets took advantage of Smith's hot hand during a key 19-8 surge that bridged the first and second quarters and gave them a 41-30 lead with 9:23 left in the second quarter.

Smith scored 11 points and connected on all four of his shots, including three from the arc, during the run.

"(Smith) spreads it out," Iverson said. "He opens it up and makes it easier for everyone else. We used our energy tonight and did everything it took to get a win."

"The 3-ball was effective for us tonight," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "I thought we passed the ball better tonight. The better we move the ball, the better we play."

Denver, which is expected to be without Nene, Chucky Atkins and Steven Hunter until the end of December, took a 63-50 lead into halftime on 55 percent (22-of-40) shooting.

The Clippers, who have not won since beating the Nuggets at the Staples Center on November 21, fell behind by as many as 21 points and never got any closer than 12 in the second half.

"I was disappointed with the way we played," Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We got off to a good start and basically settled."

Anthony Carter, playing in only his fifth game of the season after returning from a fractured right hand, scored eight points and dished out 10 assists for the Nuggets, who improved to 7-2 at home this season.

Corey Maggette scored 26 points and Chris Kaman added 16 and nine rebounds for Los Angeles.

"Our execution was poor on offense," Maggette said. "We just didn't have it and we have not had it for a while. We got to make something work because the way we are playing is not the right way."