ducks
11-26-2004, 09:50 AM
San Antonio (9-3) at Denver (6-5)
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San Antonio has struggled away from home lately and Denver may not be the easiest place to end those woes.
With each of their three losses having been on the road, the Spurs now visit a Nuggets team that has yet to lose at home.
San Antonio lost two straight road games before returning home for a 94-80 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Denver, meanwhile, has won five straight and 13 of its last 15 regular season games at the Pepsi Center.
Following two sub-par efforts on defense, the Spurs held the Mavericks to 38 percent shooting and their lowest point total of the season. It was the Spurs' 18th straight regular-season home game.
``We are a defensive team,'' said Spurs center Tim Duncan, who is averaging 27.8 points in his last five games. ``We had gotten away from that the past two games. That's not how we're going to win games.''
Tony Parker had 15 points and nine assists as the Spurs extended their lead in the Southwest Division. Parker is averaging 15.5 points in his last four games since being held scoreless in 32 minutes in an 88-80 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 18.
Denver has won four straight, including a 90-88 win over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday.
Kenyon Martin had 22 points and 12 rebounds in his first game against New Jersey, and Earl Boykins hit a runner with 21 seconds left for the Nuggets.
Following a 1-4 start, Denver has gone over .500 with Martin and Carmelo Anthony for the first time. Martin was acquired from the Nets in the offseason. The Nuggets are 5-0 when Martin has a double-double.
Anthony managed just nine points on 4-of-15 shooting Tuesday after averaging 25 points and shooting 50 percent in his previous six games.
Andre Miller is coming off a strong game for the Nuggets, scoring 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting and recording a season-high nine assists.
``What he's trying to do is get everybody involved and in the process he's forgotten about himself at times,'' Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said. ``He's just a team-oriented guy.''
STANDINGS (through Nov. 24): Spurs - 1st place, Southwest Division. Nuggets - 4th place (tied), 4 GB, Northwest Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Spurs - F Bruce Bowen, F Duncan, C Rasho Nesterovic, G Manu Ginobili, G Parker. Nuggets - F Martin, F Anthony, C Marcus Camby, G Greg Buckner, G Miller.
TEAM LEADERS: Spurs - Duncan, 24.6 ppg and 12.9 rpg; Parker, 5.5 apg. Nuggets - Anthony, 20.3 ppg; Martin, 8.5 rpg; Miller, 5 apg.
2003-04 SEASON SERIES: Spurs, 3-1.
LAST MEETING: April 14; Spurs, 93-67. At San Antonio, Duncan had 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Spurs.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Spurs - 4-3 on the road; Nuggets - 6-2 at home.
INJURIES: Spurs - F Linton Johnson (ankle); F Sean Marks (back); G Romain Sato (knee). Nuggets - G Voshon Lenard (Achilles'); F Arthur Johnson (knee); F Mark Pope (knee).
Buy Tickets
San Antonio has struggled away from home lately and Denver may not be the easiest place to end those woes.
With each of their three losses having been on the road, the Spurs now visit a Nuggets team that has yet to lose at home.
San Antonio lost two straight road games before returning home for a 94-80 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. Denver, meanwhile, has won five straight and 13 of its last 15 regular season games at the Pepsi Center.
Following two sub-par efforts on defense, the Spurs held the Mavericks to 38 percent shooting and their lowest point total of the season. It was the Spurs' 18th straight regular-season home game.
``We are a defensive team,'' said Spurs center Tim Duncan, who is averaging 27.8 points in his last five games. ``We had gotten away from that the past two games. That's not how we're going to win games.''
Tony Parker had 15 points and nine assists as the Spurs extended their lead in the Southwest Division. Parker is averaging 15.5 points in his last four games since being held scoreless in 32 minutes in an 88-80 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 18.
Denver has won four straight, including a 90-88 win over the New Jersey Nets on Tuesday.
Kenyon Martin had 22 points and 12 rebounds in his first game against New Jersey, and Earl Boykins hit a runner with 21 seconds left for the Nuggets.
Following a 1-4 start, Denver has gone over .500 with Martin and Carmelo Anthony for the first time. Martin was acquired from the Nets in the offseason. The Nuggets are 5-0 when Martin has a double-double.
Anthony managed just nine points on 4-of-15 shooting Tuesday after averaging 25 points and shooting 50 percent in his previous six games.
Andre Miller is coming off a strong game for the Nuggets, scoring 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting and recording a season-high nine assists.
``What he's trying to do is get everybody involved and in the process he's forgotten about himself at times,'' Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said. ``He's just a team-oriented guy.''
STANDINGS (through Nov. 24): Spurs - 1st place, Southwest Division. Nuggets - 4th place (tied), 4 GB, Northwest Division.
PROBABLE STARTERS: Spurs - F Bruce Bowen, F Duncan, C Rasho Nesterovic, G Manu Ginobili, G Parker. Nuggets - F Martin, F Anthony, C Marcus Camby, G Greg Buckner, G Miller.
TEAM LEADERS: Spurs - Duncan, 24.6 ppg and 12.9 rpg; Parker, 5.5 apg. Nuggets - Anthony, 20.3 ppg; Martin, 8.5 rpg; Miller, 5 apg.
2003-04 SEASON SERIES: Spurs, 3-1.
LAST MEETING: April 14; Spurs, 93-67. At San Antonio, Duncan had 23 points and 16 rebounds for the Spurs.
ROAD/HOME RECORDS: Spurs - 4-3 on the road; Nuggets - 6-2 at home.
INJURIES: Spurs - F Linton Johnson (ankle); F Sean Marks (back); G Romain Sato (knee). Nuggets - G Voshon Lenard (Achilles'); F Arthur Johnson (knee); F Mark Pope (knee).