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Smith super as Nuggets tame Hawks
Source: Agencies |
December 25, 2009, Friday
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RESERVE J R Smith scored a season-high 41 points and spark the Denver Nuggets to a 124-104 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.
Smith's tally included 10 three-pointers as National Basketball Association leading scorer Carmelo Anthony added 24 points to help the Nuggets return to winning ways at home following two road defeats.
"I really started getting in that rhythm in the first quarter," Smith told reporters after coming up four points shy of his career high set against the Sacramento Kings on April 13.
"Everything else was like throwing darts."
Jamal Crawford had a team-high 24 points for the Hawks (20-8), who entered the contest on the back of seven wins in eight and are enjoying one of their best starts in franchise history.
Forced to play again without injured starting point guard Chauncey Billups (groin), Denver established the lead from the outset and blew the game open in the fourth quarter when Smith knocked in four three-pointers.
Rookie Ty Lawson started in place of Billups for a second straight game and had 16 points as Denver overcame a run of five losses this season when a regular starter was missing through injury.
The blowout victory also enabled Denver (20-9) to gain revenge for a lopsided 100-125 defeat at the hands of the Hawks on November 7.
Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Magic 102, Rockets 87; Raptors 94, Pistons 64; Heat 80, Jazz 70; Timberwolves 103, Nets 99; Wizards 109, Brewers 97; Hornets 108, Warriors 102; Trail Blazers 98, Spurs 94; Thunder 117, Suns 113; and Cavaliers 117, Kings 104 (in overtime).
In Denver, the home team jumped out to a 34-24 lead after the first quarter and led by as much as 17 in the third before Atlanta closed the deficit to 92-82 heading into the fourth.
Al Horford chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds while Joe Johnson put up 16 and nine assists for the Hawks, who were no match for Smith.
Off-court matters
Having been suspended for his team's first seven games for off-court matters, Smith enjoyed a breakout performance in which he made 15-of-25 field goal attempts while taking advantage of the Hawks' tactic of double-teaming Anthony.
Smith's play helped the Nuggets extend their league-best home record to 13-1.
In Orlando, Florida, Orlando retained its lead in the Southeast Division over Atlanta with a comfortable win over Houston.
Dwight Howard had 20 rebounds and 13 points, outmuscling a Rockets team lacking size and strength in the middle.
Jameer Nelson added 15 points in his first start for five weeks, helping the Magic win for the fifth time in six games ahead of a big match against the Boston Celtics.
Carl Landry had 20 points for the Rockets.
Smith's tally included 10 three-pointers as National Basketball Association leading scorer Carmelo Anthony added 24 points to help the Nuggets return to winning ways at home following two road defeats.
"I really started getting in that rhythm in the first quarter," Smith told reporters after coming up four points shy of his career high set against the Sacramento Kings on April 13.
"Everything else was like throwing darts."
Jamal Crawford had a team-high 24 points for the Hawks (20-8), who entered the contest on the back of seven wins in eight and are enjoying one of their best starts in franchise history.
Forced to play again without injured starting point guard Chauncey Billups (groin), Denver established the lead from the outset and blew the game open in the fourth quarter when Smith knocked in four three-pointers.
Rookie Ty Lawson started in place of Billups for a second straight game and had 16 points as Denver overcame a run of five losses this season when a regular starter was missing through injury.
The blowout victory also enabled Denver (20-9) to gain revenge for a lopsided 100-125 defeat at the hands of the Hawks on November 7.
Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Magic 102, Rockets 87; Raptors 94, Pistons 64; Heat 80, Jazz 70; Timberwolves 103, Nets 99; Wizards 109, Brewers 97; Hornets 108, Warriors 102; Trail Blazers 98, Spurs 94; Thunder 117, Suns 113; and Cavaliers 117, Kings 104 (in overtime).
In Denver, the home team jumped out to a 34-24 lead after the first quarter and led by as much as 17 in the third before Atlanta closed the deficit to 92-82 heading into the fourth.
Al Horford chipped in 18 points and 11 rebounds while Joe Johnson put up 16 and nine assists for the Hawks, who were no match for Smith.
Off-court matters
Having been suspended for his team's first seven games for off-court matters, Smith enjoyed a breakout performance in which he made 15-of-25 field goal attempts while taking advantage of the Hawks' tactic of double-teaming Anthony.
Smith's play helped the Nuggets extend their league-best home record to 13-1.
In Orlando, Florida, Orlando retained its lead in the Southeast Division over Atlanta with a comfortable win over Houston.
Dwight Howard had 20 rebounds and 13 points, outmuscling a Rockets team lacking size and strength in the middle.
Jameer Nelson added 15 points in his first start for five weeks, helping the Magic win for the fifth time in six games ahead of a big match against the Boston Celtics.
Carl Landry had 20 points for the Rockets.
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