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Smith, Kleiza help Nuggets to strong preseason finish

Oct 25, 2008 - 5:24 AM By Jonathan Raber PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- J.R. Smith scored 19 points and Linas Kleiza added 18 as the Denver Nuggets posted a 106-92 victory against the Los Angeles Clippers during Friday's preseason finale for both teams.

Smith made 4-of-7 shots from beyond the arc while Kleiza grabbed six rebounds in 25 minutes for the Nuggets, who finished the preseason with a 6-1 record.

Denver guard Allen Iverson returned to action after missing the past two games because of a sprained right ankle and had seven points on 1-of-8 shooting.

Cuttino Mobley finished with a game-high 21 points and rookie Eric Gordon contributed 17 for the Clippers, who committed 22 turnovers, falling to 3-4 in the preseason.

The Nuggets led from start to finish in this one, building a 62-43 lead by halftime. The Clippers only got within 10 points late in the fourth.

Marcus Camby, who spent the previous six seasons with Denver, did not suit up for Los Angeles as he continues to nurse a bruised right heel.

The two squads will open the regular season on Wednesday, with the Nuggets traveling to face the Utah Jazz and the Clippers hosting the Los Angeles Lakers.