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In clash of superstars, Nuggets edge Cavs in overtime 118 - 116
February 18, 2010
On a day dominated by trades and other off-the-court news, the Denver Nuggets and the Cleveland Cavaliers proved they didn't forget what the best of the NBA is really all about. It's about superstars, contending teams, fantastic games that go down to the final shot. Such was the case Thursday night in Cleveland, when All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony buried a game-winning basket with 1.9 seconds left in overtime to lift the Nuggets to a 118-116 victory. And it was a basket that came over the outstretched arms of Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James. You couldn't have written a better script for two teams that were playing their first game after the All-Star break, not to mention two teams that are trying to prove they can win a title. And the stars couldn't have shined any brighter. James finished with his third triple-double of the season (and 27th of his career), recording game highs of 43 points and 15 assists, as well as 13 rebounds. Anthony finished with 40 points and seven boards, and of course, the game-winner. He played 48 of a possible 53 minutes.
"It was a pretty good show between [Anthony] and LeBron," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "I didn't want to take Melo out. I was afraid I'd get some phone calls from the fans if I did." Anthony's big shot ended the Cavs' 13-game winning streak and concluded what had been an exhausting 24 hours, starting with the trade of longtime center and fan favorite Zyrdunas Ilgauskas to Washington. In return, the Cavs landed forward Antawn Jamison from the Wizards and guard Sebastian Telfair from the Los Angeles Clippers. Neither played Thursday, but Jamison could be in uniform for the Cavs' game in Charlotte on Friday. Thursday's contest was equally draining for the Nuggets, who played their first game since their coach disclosed he has neck and throat cancer. Karl has already undergone some chemotherapy, which resulted in headaches and nausea while he sat on the bench. In other words, it's safe to say both teams had plenty on their minds entering the game -- making their performances all that much more amazing. "It was two really good teams," James said. "It really came down to whoever got the stop they needed or made the shot they needed to win the game. That's how it ended." The Cavs (43-12) had a chance to win it, but James slipped when receiving the final inbound pass, his ensuing 3-point attempt bouncing off the rim. It gave the Nuggets (36-18) a sweep of the two-game season series, with both going down to the final moments.
Interestingly, the Cavs struggled mightily from the free-throw line in both losses, finishing a miserable 23-for-40 on Thursday night. "You're not always going to shoot 100 percent from the line, but if we make 12 or 13 of those misses, it's a totally different game," James said. "We have to do a better job than we did tonight." Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin each added 18 points for the Nuggets, with Martin compiling a game-high 17 rebounds. Meanwhile, Shaquille O'Neal scored 18 for the Cavs, and point guard Mo Williams returned from a 12-game absence by coming off the bench to score eight. But the Cavs looked rusty early and by the time they recovered, Anthony and Billups seemed to be just heating up. "It was a great win for us," Billups said. "They are playing the best basketball out of anyone right now, especially at home where they never lose. This is an unbelievable way to start the second half of the season."
On the other hand, the Cavs are hoping to regain their stride once they work in the newcomers. That's especially true of Jamison, who comes to Cleveland with season averages of 20.8 points and 8.8 rebounds. "This is a very special, unique team," said Jamison, who watched the game in a suit and tie from behind the Cavs bench. "Unfortunately, [the Nuggets] were able to come up with the big play, but it's fun to call this place home. Hopefully, I can come in and contribute right away." The Nuggets also seem to be happy with where they are -- or at least, where they believe they could be going. "I think that's a good statement," Karl said of Thursday's win. "We know we have some tough road games this month and some tough opponents. We talked about being able to turn up the seriousness and treat every game like it has value, no matter who our opponent is. We always seem to play with a little more pizzazz when we play the good teams."