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Nuggets look to avenge playoff loss against Clippers

Nov 2, 2006 - 1:58 PM Denver (0-0) at LA Clippers (0-1) 10:30 pm EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Denver Nuggets will look for revenge against the Los Angeles Clippers after a disappointing first-round playoff loss last season.

In their season opener, the Nuggets will face the Clippers on Thursday at the Staples Center.

Denver lost to Los Angeles in five games, highlighted by a tumultuous Game Two in which Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin was suspended after a halftime locker room tirade directed at coach George Karl.

Star forward Carmelo Anthony prepared for the season by playing for Team USA at the World Championships. Anthony was the leading scorer for the Americans and will look to translate that into his first All-Star selection in 2006-07.

While the Nuggets have yet to play, Los Angeles opened its season on Wednesday with a 112-104 road loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Elton Brand scored 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Cuttino Mobley and Sam Cassell added 17 points apiece for the Clippers, who failed to avenge their Game Seven loss in the Western Conference semifinals last season.