Denver (10-9) at Miami (10-9) 7:30 pm EST
MIAMI (Ticker) - Earl Boykins' game-winning 3-pointer still
should be fresh in the minds of Miami Heat players.
The Heat will attempt to erase the sting of that shot when they
host Boykins and the Denver Nuggets on Friday in the second
meeting between the teams in six days.
Once James Posey's potential go-ahead 3-pointer failed to
connect, Boykins' bucket with 17 seconds remaining was the
deciding factor in Denver's 101-99 victory Saturday, ending
Miami's three-game winning streak.
The loss also was the Heat's first defeat on a four-game West
Coast trip and the beginning of a current three-game losing
streak. Miami fell to the Pacific Division leading-Los Angeles
Clippers on Monday, 99-89, then to the defending champion San
Antonio Spurs on Wednesday, 98-84.
Dwyane Wade averaged nearly 30 points during the three-game
slide.
After the triumph over the Heat, the Nuggets edged Atlanta on
Tuesday, 125-116, in their best offensive output of the season.
Denver shot 59 percent (44-of-75) from the field and scored 38
fast-break points.
Carmelo Anthony had 26 points, six rebounds and six assists and
NBA rebounding leader Marcus Camby scored 24, pulled down 12
boards and rejected five shots. Andre Miller added 21 points
and a season-high 14 assists and Boykins chipped in off the
bench with 20 points and six assists.
With a win, Miami would get a little payback by ending Denver's
two-game winning streak and improving to 7-2 at home this
season.





