Hornets-Nuggets Preview

By MATT BEARDMORE
Posted Jan 08 2011 8:41PM

The Denver Nuggets have tried to ignore the constant trade rumors swirling around Carmelo Anthony this season. They can't look past their recent poor play.

Anthony and the slumping Nuggets try to bounce back from road losses to two of the Western Conference's worst teams Sunday night when they host the New Orleans Hornets, who are looking to avoid a season high-tying third straight defeat.

Since Anthony rejected a three-year, $65 million extension last summer, the Nuggets (20-15) have been fielding questions about possibly losing their star forward. The latest rumor involves a three-team deal that would send Anthony, Chauncey Billups and Detroit guard Richard Hamilton to New Jersey, with the Nets sending Devin Harris, rookie forward Derrick Favors and two first-round picks to Denver.

"I can't control (the rumors), I control this (basketball) the best I can," Billups said Saturday. "I kind of worry about that. It (speculation) really has no bearing on what I do out here."

What the Nuggets have been doing on the court lately has been far from what coach George Karl expects from the two-time defending Northwest Division champs after back-to-back losses at the Los Angeles Clippers and Sacramento.

The West-worst Kings hit 9 of 18 from 3-point range and shot a season-high 56.4 percent in Thursday's 122-102 victory.

"I'm really kind of blown away by our performance," Karl said. "Since I've been in Denver my team has always bounced back after a tough loss. Sometimes I think we need to think about playing harder and play simple basketball."

For now, that will include Anthony.

"We're just frustrated right now," said the three-time All-Star, who leads the Nuggets with 24.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. "I know I am after these two losses against two teams that we should have beat. Tonight was an embarrassing loss that's all I have to say about it."

Anthony's good friend, Chris Paul, wasn't embarrassed with the Hornets' 101-97 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, but the star point guard was far from satisfied with just finishing close to the two-time defending NBA champs.

"There aren't no moral victories around here," said Paul, who scored 12 points with 10 assists. "I wish we could've figured out a way to get the win. You know, we need it desperately. We lost a bad one at home two days ago (110-103 to Golden State on Wednesday), so, you know, we really needed this win."

The Hornets (21-16) have dropped three in a row in Denver, but they snapped a three-game skid to the Nuggets on Oct. 29 with a 101-95 victory.

Paul, who scored 10 of his 18 points in the final nine minutes, is averaging 22.7 and 11.3 assists while posting six straight double-doubles in Denver. He was recovering from left knee surgery in the teams' last matchup at Pepsi Center, a 93-80 Denver victory on March 18.

While the Nuggets are a woeful 5-12 on the road, they return to Denver for four straight with one of the best home marks in the West at 15-3.

New Orleans has dropped 11 of 15 on the road since opening the season with three straight victories away from home.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Hornets hand Nuggets another loss, 96-87

By ARNIE STAPLETON
Posted Jan 10 2011 12:56AM

DENVER (AP) Boos from the home crowd. Passive play. Just two first-half shots.

If this was Carmelo Anthony's farewell, he sure didn't go out on a high note.

Anthony scored just eight points in the Denver Nuggets' lethargic 96-87 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday night, putting a sour finish on a day filled with speculation that the superstar's departure from Denver was close after 7 1/2 seasons.

A person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Sunday night that the Nuggets are closing in on a deal that would send Anthony to New Jersey in a three-team trade.

Anthony said he didn't think this was his last game in a Nuggets uniform, however.

"Uh-uh, not at all," he said, repeating the phrase "not at all" four times.

Asked if that was an indication he wouldn't sign his three-year, $65 million contract extension so the trade with the Nets could be consummated, Anthony demurred, saying: "I haven't heard anything. Only, that it's just been speculation as of right now."

Anthony noted that team governor Josh Kroenke and general manager Masai Ujiri "are not even here, so I don't see that happening."

In what time frame was he referring to?

"I'm just saying I don't see it happening right now," Anthony said.

This week sometime?

"No."

Anthony insisted one of the worst performances of his career had nothing to do with the trade talk.

"I've been playing all year long with speculation, so just to say that tonight the speculation bothered me, that's not even on my mind in a basketball game," he said.

In foul trouble early, Anthony took just two first-half shots and his first basket came with 6:51 left in the third quarter, when his finger-roll layup pulled Denver to 65-49, drawing scattered cheers from the crowd disgusted by the Nuggets' low energy.

"There was a little bit of funk in tonight's game. I'll take responsibility for tonight's loss," Anthony said, noting that he wasn't as aggressive as usual and passed up too many shots while making too many passes.

"I don't like to look at the stat sheet, but for me to take 11 shots, that's out of the norm for me," Anthony said.

When he re-entered the game in the fourth quarter, Anthony was serenaded with more jeers than cheers and was even booed when the Nuggets were closing in after trailing by 19 in the third quarter.

"I hear it. Does it affect me? No," Anthony said. "It hurt a little bit knowing that it's here coming from my home fans. But other than that, I try to go out there and play hard every night, do what I've got to do. If they like it, they like it. If they want to boo, then they want to boo."

Chris Paul, who scored 20, and David West (19) helped New Orleans stave off the Nuggets and send Denver to its third straight loss.

Anthony took just five shots until the fourth quarter and finished 3 for 11 from the floor in 34 minutes.

Nuggets coach George Karl has on several occasions praised Anthony's professionalism for his hard work and spirited play this season, but Anthony looked disinterested for much of this night.

Karl, however, didn't disparage Anthony's effort like the fans did.

"He passed the ball great, he moved the ball really well. Early in the game it was exciting to see our team move the ball as well as it did, but we didn't get a lot of reward to it. We missed a lot of easy shots," Karl said.

Asked why Anthony took just one shot in each of the first two quarters, Karl said: "He had foul trouble. He was in a passing mode. I've always felt he could get 10 assists any time he wants to. He was doing what the game was telling him to do."

Anthony finished with four assists.

Talk of the Brooklyn-born Anthony ending up in the Big Apple has been swirling around the superstar since last summer, when he declined to sign his extension, put his Denver mansion on the market and married his longtime girlfriend, TV personality LaLa Vazquez, in an elaborate New York City wedding.

Talks on a three-team trade with the Nets and Detroit Pistons are "advancing," according to the person who spoke to The AP on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to publicly discuss the talks. The trade would reunite Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton in New Jersey along with Anthony, the person said. Although there has been progress, the person said there are potential roadblocks.

The deal would fall apart if Anthony refused to sign the three-year extension. Billups also has said he would be reluctant to leave Denver, although he could go to New Jersey, finish out the season, then have the Nets void his contract and return to his hometown Nuggets in 2011-12.

The Nets would send rookie power forward Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris and others to Denver in the deal that would get them Anthony, Billups, Hamilton, Shelden Williams and Terrico White, who is injured.

There were no hints at tip-off that a deal was imminent.

Both Anthony and Billups were in the starting lineup and not on the bench as might be expected. But the Nuggets didn't have a lot of leeway, either; already, they were without Kenyon Martin, Chris "Birdman" Andersen and Ty Lawson.

Billups went 2 for 12 from the floor and finished with 13 points and three assists.

"Our offense was not very good," Billups said. "When me and Melo struggle from the same night in the field, our chances go down drastically. We had no Ty, no Bird. Tough night."

Billups said he didn't know if a trade was imminent, either: "I don't know nothing new, so I can't tell you nothing new."

The Nuggets pulled to 86-83 on J.R. Smith's steal and slam, but the Hornets responded with an 8-2 spurt capped by Paul's 3-pointer over Anthony, who left the court after the game with his head down.

"I thought that was a tough game to play in because of the situation, all the speculation with that team," Hornets coach Monty Williams said.

Paul said he was surprised to see Anthony struggle so mightily.

"Yeah, I was, but I think it shows we played really good defense," Paul said. "Melo's one of those guys that gets doubled every night. I know him so well I know what he's capable of. We try to double him and force other guys to make plays."

Notes: Al Harrington led Denver with 20 points. ... New Orleans was 20-of-21 from the line.

---=

AP Sports Writer Tom Canavan contributed from Newark, N.J.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Hornets-Nuggets notebook

By Michael Kelly, for NBA.com
Posted Monday January 10, 2011 12:52AM

THE FACTS: Chris Paul had 20 points and David West had 19 as the New Orleans Hornets beat the shorthanded Denver Nuggets 96-87 on Sunday Night. Denver played without Kenyon Martin, Chris Andersen and Ty Lawson.

QUOTABLE: "Guys made big shots and big plays, and most of all, our defense is what won the game for us."
-- Paul on pulling away down the stretch.

THE STAT: Carmelo Anthony was held to eight points in what could be his last game with the Denver Nuggets. It was just the second time this season and third in the last three years he has failed to score in double figures. The last time he didn't score at least 10 points when healthy was March 13, 2005, against Phoenix.

TURNING POINT: After Denver wiped out nearly all of the Hornets' 19-point lead, West leaned into J.R. Smith, hit a short jumper and drew a foul with 3:27 left. His free throw gave New Orleans a 91-85 lead and moments later Paul hit a 3-pointer to help hold off the Nuggets.

QUOTABLE II: "Not at all. Not at all. Not at all. Not at all. I just don't see that happening right now."
-- Anthony, when asked if this was his last game as a Nugget amid rumors that a trade will send him to New Jersey is imminent

HOT: West continues to put up good offensive numbers. He scored in double figures for the sixth straight game and 14th time in the last 15 games.

NOT: Chauncey Billups and Anthony were a combined 5-for-23 from the field on a night when the Nuggets needed their stars to shine.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Al Harrington had another solid game off the bench. He scored 20 in his third game back after missing four with a dislocated right thumb.

GOOD MOVE: New Orleans forward Trevor Ariza locked up Anthony in the first half, holding Denver's leading scorer without a field goal and two points in 16 minutes. West guarded Anthony down the stretch when he missed two shots that would have kept Denver in it.

BAD MOVE: Coming out of a timeout after the Hornets went up 60-44, Denver committed a shot-clock violation. New Orleans responded with a three-point play to go up 19 with 8:51 left in the third.

NOTABLE: The Nuggets' 18 assists marks the third straight game they failed to have at least 20. They are 3-11 when recording fewer than 20 assists.

UP NEXT: For the Hornets, Wednesday vs. Orlando, Friday @ Atlanta, Saturday @ Charlotte. For the Nuggets, Tuesday vs. Phoenix, Thursday vs. Miami, Saturday vs. Cleveland.

• Hornets: Banks, Mbenga
• Nuggets: Andersen, Martin

• Hornets: --
• Nuggets: Billups

• Lead Changes: 2
• Times Tied: 2

• Arena: Pepsi Center, Denver, CO
• Officials: #41 Ken Mauer, #50 Olandis Poole, #68 Marat Kogut
• Attendance: 16283
• Duration: 2:15

New Orleans Hornets (22-16)		Denver Nuggets (20-16)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Nene vs Okafor (Paul gains possession)
Ariza Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: West (1 AST)	11:44 [NOH 2-0]
	11:24	Billups Jump Shot: Missed
Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:23
West Jump Shot: Missed	11:06
	11:04	Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Belinelli Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:57
	10:57 [DEN 1-2]	Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	10:57 [DEN 2-2]	Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Belinelli 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: West (2 AST)	10:40 [NOH 5-2]
Ariza Foul : Personal (1 PF)	10:28
	10:14	Billups Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
West Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:54 [NOH 7-2]
	09:29 [DEN 4-7]	Afflalo Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	09:15
	09:14	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:01	Afflalo 3pt Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:00
West Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:46 [NOH 9-4]
Paul Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	08:26
	08:26 [DEN 5-9]	Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	08:26 [DEN 6-9]	Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Ariza Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Okafor (1 AST)	08:13 [NOH 11-6]
	07:59	Anthony Jump Shot: Missed
	07:58	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	07:51	Nene Layup Shot: Missed Block: West (1 BLK)
	07:50	Team Rebound
	07:44	Nene Foul : Offensive (1 PF)
	07:44	Nene Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Okafor Running Hook Shot: Missed	07:28
Team Rebound	07:27
Okafor Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Paul (1 AST)	07:21 [NOH 13-6]
	07:11 [DEN 8-13]	Nene Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Afflalo (1 AST)
Paul Jump Shot: Missed	07:02
	07:01	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	06:55	Afflalo Layup Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:53
Okafor Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Belinelli (1 AST)	06:39 [NOH 15-8]
	06:28 [DEN 10-15]	Nene Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Anthony (1 AST)
Okafor Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	06:09
	05:56	Billups Jump Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:54
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	05:40
	05:38	Billups Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Okafor Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:26
	05:26	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:26	Nene Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	05:26	Team Rebound
	05:26	Nene Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	05:24
West Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	05:00 [NOH 17-10]
	04:45 [DEN 12-17]	Williams Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Anthony (2 AST)
West Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed	04:23
	04:22	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
Ariza Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	04:05
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Green	04:05
Ariza Substitution replaced by Pondexter	04:05
	04:05 [DEN 13-17]	Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	04:05 [DEN 14-17]	Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Paul Running Jump Shot: Missed Block: Afflalo (1 BLK)	03:48
	03:45	Afflalo Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Pondexter Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	03:43
	03:43 [DEN 15-17]	Afflalo Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	03:43 [DEN 16-17]	Afflalo Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Green Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: West (3 AST)	03:20 [NOH 19-16]
	03:01 [DEN 18-19]	Nene Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Anthony (3 AST)
	02:50	Williams Foul : Personal Block (1 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:50
	02:50	Williams Substitution replaced by Smith
	02:50	Afflalo Substitution replaced by Harrington
Paul Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	02:41 [NOH 21-18]
	02:24 [DEN 21-21]	Harrington 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Smith (1 AST)
Green Jump Shot: Missed Block: Anthony (1 BLK)	02:03
	02:02	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
Pondexter Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	01:58
	01:58	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:58	Team Rebound
Okafor Substitution replaced by Gray	01:58
Paul Substitution replaced by Jack	01:58
	01:58	Nene Substitution replaced by Ely
	01:58	Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:56
Gray Jump Hook Shot: Missed	01:35
	01:34	Harrington Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Gray Foul : Personal Block (1 PF)	01:19
	01:19 [DEN 22-21]	Harrington Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	01:19	Harrington Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Gray Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:17
Pondexter 3pt Shot: Missed	00:54.9
	00:53.9	Ely Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:47.9	Harrington Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Gray Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:46.7
Pondexter Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Green (1 AST)	00:36.5 [NOH 23-22]
	00:21.9	Billups Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Jack (1 ST)
Team Timeout : Short	00:02.6
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.5
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 1st Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (22-16)		Denver Nuggets (20-16)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:36	Anthony Jump Shot: Missed
Jack Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:35
West Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Jack (1 AST)	11:15 [NOH 25-22]
	11:00	Smith Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	10:37
Pondexter Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	10:24
	10:24 [DEN 23-25]	Anthony Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
West Substitution replaced by Smith	10:24
Pondexter Substitution replaced by Thornton	10:24
Team Violation : Delay Of Game	10:24
	10:24 [DEN 24-25]	Anthony Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Green Running Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	10:01 [NOH 27-24]
	09:39 [DEN 26-27]	Harrington Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Jack Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Harrington (1 ST)	09:27
	09:17	Smith Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Gray Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	09:16
Jack Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:10 [NOH 29-26]
	08:50	Carter Jump Shot: Missed
Green Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:49
	08:44	Anthony Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
	08:44
	08:44	Anthony Substitution replaced by Afflalo
Gray Substitution replaced by Okafor	08:44
Green Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)	08:44 [NOH 30-26]
Green Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)	08:44 [NOH 31-26]
	08:39	Carter Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)
Okafor Layup Shot: Missed Block: Ely (1 BLK)	08:23
	08:20	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	08:14 [DEN 29-31]	Afflalo 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Carter (1 AST)
Jack Jump Shot: Missed	07:59
	07:58	Team Rebound
Okafor Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)	07:58
	07:49	Afflalo 3pt Shot: Missed
	07:48	Harrington Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	07:44	Harrington Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:43
Okafor Jump Bank Hook Shot: Made (6 PTS)	07:25 [NOH 33-29]
	07:04 [DEN 31-33]	Smith Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Green Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Jack (2 AST)	06:57 [NOH 35-31]
	06:45	Harrington 3pt Shot: Missed
Thornton Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:44
	06:27	Afflalo Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
	06:27	Ely Substitution replaced by Nene
	06:27	Carter Substitution replaced by Billups
Thornton Substitution replaced by Ariza	06:27
Okafor Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	06:27
Team Rebound	06:27
Okafor Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)	06:27 [NOH 36-31]
	06:10	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	06:08
Jack Jump Shot: Missed	06:00
	05:58	Harrington Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	05:41 [DEN 33-36]	Afflalo Fade Away Jumper Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Smith Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Ariza (1 AST)	05:22 [NOH 38-33]
	04:58	Billups Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Jack (1 BLK)
Team Rebound	04:57
	04:57	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:57	Harrington Substitution replaced by Anthony
Green Substitution replaced by West	04:57
Smith Substitution replaced by Paul	04:57
West Layup Shot: Missed	04:36
Okafor Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	04:35
Okafor Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS)	04:32 [NOH 40-33]
	04:16	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:15
West Jump Hook Shot: Missed	04:00
Team Rebound	04:00
	04:00	Anthony Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Ariza Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	03:46 [NOH 42-33]
	03:46	Anthony Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
	03:46	Anthony Substitution replaced by Williams
Ariza Free Throw 1 of 1 (7 PTS)	03:46 [NOH 43-33]
	03:26 [DEN 35-43]	Nene Jump Hook Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Okafor Layup Shot: Missed	03:03
	03:02	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	02:55 [DEN 37-43]	Nene Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Billups (1 AST)
Ariza Foul : Loose Ball (3 PF)	02:38
Ariza Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	02:38
Team Timeout : Regular	02:38
Ariza Substitution replaced by Belinelli	02:38
Jack Substitution replaced by Green	02:38
	02:21 [DEN 39-43]	Williams Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Nene (1 AST)
Green 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: West (4 AST)	02:03 [NOH 46-39]
	01:43 [DEN 41-46]	Williams Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Nene (2 AST)
Paul 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS)	01:34 [NOH 49-41]
	01:19	Billups Jump Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	01:18
	01:17	Billups Technical
Paul Free Throw Technical (6 PTS)	01:17 [NOH 50-41]
West Jump Shot: Missed	01:04
Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	01:03
Okafor Jump Hook Shot: Missed	01:00
	00:59.8	Afflalo Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:50.9	Smith Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	00:49.6
Paul Layup Shot: Missed Block: Williams (1 BLK)	00:41.0
Team Rebound	00:41.0
	00:39.4	Williams Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
West Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	00:39.4 [NOH 51-41]
Okafor Substitution replaced by Smith	00:39.4
	00:39.4	Williams Substitution replaced by Harrington
West Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	00:39.4 [NOH 52-41]
Belinelli Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	00:34.1
	00:34.1 [DEN 42-52]	Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	00:34.1	Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:32.9
	00:13.4	Nene Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	00:13.4 [NOH 53-42]
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Pondexter	00:13.4
Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	00:13.4 [NOH 54-42]
Smith Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	00:01.1
	00:01.1 [DEN 43-54]	Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
	00:01.1	Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:01.1
End of 2nd Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (22-16)		Denver Nuggets (20-16)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:37	Afflalo Jump Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	11:36
Belinelli Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Nene (1 ST)	11:20
	11:13	Nene Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Belinelli (1 ST)
	11:10	Billups Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Belinelli Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)	11:10 [NOH 55-43]
Belinelli Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)	11:10 [NOH 56-43]
West Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	11:01
	11:01 [DEN 44-56]	Nene Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	11:01	Nene Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	11:00
Paul Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	10:49
	10:36	Afflalo 3pt Shot: Missed
Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:34
West Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)	10:16 [NOH 58-44]
	10:04	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:2 Def:6)	10:03
West Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Paul (2 AST)	09:53 [NOH 60-44]
	09:52	Team Timeout : Regular
	09:28	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	09:10
	09:09	Team Rebound
	09:09	Williams Substitution replaced by Harrington
	08:52	Anthony Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	08:51
West Jump Shot: Missed	08:41
Okafor Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	08:39
Ariza Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)	08:31 [NOH 62-44]
	08:31	Harrington Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Ariza Free Throw 1 of 1 (10 PTS)	08:31 [NOH 63-44]
West Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	08:17
	08:17 [DEN 45-63]	Harrington Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	08:17 [DEN 46-63]	Harrington Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
	08:06	Anthony Foul : Personal (4 PF)
Belinelli Jump Shot: Missed	07:57
	07:56	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Okafor Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	07:46
	07:46	Nene Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	07:46	Team Rebound
	07:46 [DEN 47-63]	Nene Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Paul Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: West (5 AST)	07:27 [NOH 65-47]
	07:08	Nene Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)	07:07
West Foul : Offensive (3 PF)	07:04
West Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	07:04
	06:50 [DEN 49-65]	Anthony Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Ariza Driving Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)	06:35 [NOH 67-49]
	06:21	Anthony 3pt Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:3 Def:8)	06:20
West Jump Shot: Missed	06:09
	06:08	Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:58 [DEN 51-67]	Harrington Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Okafor Jump Hook Shot: Missed	05:38
	05:37	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	05:29 [DEN 53-67]	Billups Running Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Paul Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	05:29
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Green	05:29
	05:29	Afflalo Substitution replaced by Smith
	05:29	Anthony Substitution replaced by Forbes
Okafor Substitution replaced by Smith	05:29
	05:29 [DEN 54-67]	Billups Free Throw 1 of 1 (9 PTS)
Smith Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Paul (3 AST)	05:11 [NOH 69-54]
	04:50	Forbes Driving Layup Shot: Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	04:49
Ariza 3pt Shot: Missed	04:43
	04:42	Nene Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	04:30	Nene Layup Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	04:29
Paul Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Nene (2 ST)	04:22
	04:16	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:14
Paul Jump Shot: Missed	03:59
	03:58	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	03:53 [DEN 56-69]	Harrington Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Smith (2 AST)
Green Foul : Shooting Block (1 PF)	03:53
	03:53	Nene Substitution replaced by Ely
	03:53 [DEN 57-69]	Harrington Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	03:53
West Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Paul (4 AST)	03:40 [NOH 71-57]
	03:25 [DEN 59-71]	Smith Driving Slam Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Paul 3pt Shot: Missed	02:54
Green Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	02:52
Paul Running Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	02:35 [NOH 73-59]
	02:06	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
	02:04	Harrington Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)
	01:54	Harrington 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:52	Forbes Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	01:49	Forbes Layup Shot: Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	01:48
Green Jump Shot: Missed	01:40
	01:40	Team Rebound
Smith Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)	01:40
	01:40	Ely Substitution replaced by Afflalo
Smith Substitution replaced by Pondexter	01:40
	01:40	Smith Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	01:40	Team Rebound
	01:40 [DEN 60-73]	Smith Free Throw 2 of 2 (7 PTS)
	01:31	Forbes Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Paul Running Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS)	01:23 [NOH 75-60]
	01:23	Afflalo Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	01:23	Afflalo Substitution replaced by Carter
Paul Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)	01:23 [NOH 76-60]
Green Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	01:15
	01:15 [DEN 61-76]	Billups Free Throw 1 of 2 (10 PTS)
	01:15 [DEN 62-76]	Billups Free Throw 2 of 2 (11 PTS)
	00:57.5	Harrington Foul : Personal (2 PF)
Paul Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)	00:57.5 [NOH 77-62]
Paul Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	00:57.5 [NOH 78-62]
	00:44.1 [DEN 64-78]	Forbes Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Smith (3 AST)
Green Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	00:32.6
	00:23.1	Harrington Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed
	00:21.7	Harrington Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	00:19.5	Harrington Reverse Layup Shot: Missed Block: West (2 BLK)
	00:18.8	Harrington Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)
	00:17.4 [DEN 66-78]	Harrington Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	00:02.7
	00:00.4	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
End of 3rd Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (22-16)		Denver Nuggets (20-16)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Jack 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Paul (5 AST)	11:36 [NOH 81-66]
	11:19	Forbes Jump Shot: Missed
Jack Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	11:18
	10:59	Billups Substitution replaced by Anthony
Jack Foul : Offensive (1 PF)	10:55
Jack Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	10:55
	10:50 [DEN 68-81]	Harrington Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Forbes (1 AST)
Jack Running Jump Shot: Missed	10:23
	10:22	Anthony Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	10:17	Forbes Layup Shot: Missed Block: Paul (1 BLK)
	10:16	Team Rebound
Jack Substitution replaced by Belinelli	10:16
West Substitution replaced by Green	10:16
	10:11 [DEN 70-81]	Forbes Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Carter (2 AST)
Paul Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	10:11
	10:11	Forbes Free Throw 1 of 1 Missed
Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:07
Ariza Turnaround Fade Away shot: Missed	09:46
	09:44	Forbes Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	09:29	Forbes 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:28	Team Rebound
Paul Foul : Loose Ball (4 PF)	09:28
	09:19	Smith Jump Shot: Missed
Paul Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	09:18
Paul Foul : Offensive (5 PF)	09:14
Paul Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	09:14
Paul Substitution replaced by Jack	09:14
	08:59 [DEN 73-81]	Carter 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Forbes (2 AST)
Belinelli Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)	08:36 [NOH 83-73]
	08:13 [DEN 76-83]	Harrington 3pt Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Anthony (4 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	08:04
Pondexter Substitution replaced by West	08:04
West Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Harrington (2 ST)	07:51
	07:43 [DEN 79-83]	Carter 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Smith (4 AST)
Jack 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Belinelli (2 AST)	07:20 [NOH 86-79]
	07:02	Anthony Layup Shot: Missed
	07:01	Anthony Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	07:00	Anthony Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
Ariza Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)	06:59
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	06:35
	06:35	Forbes Substitution replaced by Billups
	06:12	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
West Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)	06:11
Ariza Fade Away Jumper Shot: Missed	05:54
	05:52	Smith Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Green Foul : Personal (3 PF)	05:41
	05:41
	05:30 [DEN 81-86]	Anthony Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Billups (2 AST)
Green 3pt Shot: Missed	05:12
West Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	05:11
Green Jump Shot: Missed	05:07
Green Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	05:05
	05:04	Harrington Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Jack Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Smith (1 ST)	04:52
	04:47 [DEN 83-86]	Smith Slam Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS)
	04:38	Carter Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Jack Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	04:38 [NOH 87-83]
Green Substitution replaced by Paul	04:38
Jack Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	04:38 [NOH 88-83]
	04:24 [DEN 85-88]	Anthony Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Billups (3 AST)
Paul Jump Shot: Missed	03:58
	03:57	Anthony Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	03:50	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	03:50
	03:50	Carter Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
	03:50	Harrington Substitution replaced by Nene
Ariza Substitution replaced by Okafor	03:50
West Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Paul (6 AST)	03:27 [NOH 90-85]
	03:27	Smith Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
West Free Throw 1 of 1 (19 PTS)	03:27 [NOH 91-85]
	03:10	Anthony Jump Shot: Missed
Belinelli Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	03:09
Paul 3pt Shot: Made (18 PTS)	02:47 [NOH 94-85]
	02:46	Team Timeout : Regular
	02:46	Carter Substitution replaced by Harrington
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Pondexter	02:46
	02:23	Anthony Jump Shot: Missed
	02:22	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	02:16	Billups Foul : Offensive (2 PF)
	02:16	Billups Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Pondexter Substitution replaced by Belinelli	02:16
Jack 3pt Shot: Missed	02:00
	01:59	Harrington Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	01:50	Smith 3pt Shot: Missed
West Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	01:49
Paul Turnover : Traveling (4 TO)	01:29
Belinelli Substitution replaced by Pondexter	01:29
	01:21 [DEN 87-94]	Billups Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Paul Running Jump Shot: Missed	01:00
Okafor Rebound (Off:4 Def:8)	00:59.6
	00:48.1	Nene Foul : Personal Take (3 PF)
Paul Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS)	00:48.1 [NOH 95-87]
Paul Free Throw 2 of 2 (20 PTS)	00:48.1 [NOH 96-87]
	00:41.8	Billups 3pt Shot: Missed
Okafor Rebound (Off:4 Def:9)	00:40.9
Pondexter 3pt Shot: Missed	00:16.9
	00:15.8	Smith Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)
	00:09.6	Smith Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
End of 4th Quarter

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