RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- After beating the defending
champions two nights earlier, the Denver Nuggets came into
Vancouver on a high and walked away with their third consecutive
win.
|  | | Vancouver's Mike Bibby bites on Nick Van Exel's head fake and gets called for a foul in the first half. |
Antonio McDyess scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, while
Nick Van Exel had 20 points and a season-high 14 assists as the
Denver Nuggets won on the road for the first time this season,
beating the Grizzlies 95-92 Monday night.
"Tonight we came out with a big confidence boost from the last
game, so we were ready to play," McDyess said.
Vancouver had a chance to tie the game, but a 3-pointer by
Shareef Abdur-Rahim hit the rim at the buzzer. The Nuggets moved
one game over .500 (6-5) for the first time since they were 17-16
on Jan. 10.
The Grizzlies were led by Abdur-Rahim's 19 points and 14
rebounds. Mike Bibby had 18 points. Bryant Reeves had 11 of his
season-high 13 rebounds in the first half.
McDyess fouled out with 25.3 seconds left after only 27 minutes.
He's averaging just 28 minutes per contest this season.
"Well, at least I got my average," he joked. "I've been in
foul trouble every game this year. I just can't touch no one. If I
could stay out of foul trouble, I'd be doing all right."
The Nuggets moved to 6-5 on the season while the Grizzlies have
lost five in a row to drop to 4-6.
Grizzlies guard Kevin Edwards, starting in place of the injured
Michael Dickerson, made just one of two free throws to make it
91-89.
After a timeout, Van Exel was fouled with 20.5 seconds remaining
and he, too, made just one of two. Damon Jones converted a
three-point play with 4.3 seconds left to make it 94-92, and Van
Exel hit one of two from the line with 3.9 seconds left to give the
Grizzlies a final chance.
All but three of Denver's points were scored from the free throw
line in the final 5:11. The Nuggets hit eight of 12 shots from the
line in that span and went just 16-of-30 for the game.
"We shoot enough in practice but it seems like when we get to
the game, it's a totally different story," said McDyess, who was
5-for-9. "We definitely need to improve that if we're going to win
some close games."
Van Exel, fifth in the league in assists with 8.3 a game,
credited his teammates.
"Guys were making shots, guys were getting open and guys were
running the floor," he said. "That makes your job a lot easier as
a point guard."
The Grizzlies dropped their fifth consecutive game. They now go
on the road for four games, beginning in Minnesota on Wednesday.
Coach Sidney Lowe was not pleased with his starting unit.
"I don't know if it's time to shuffle the deck, but I'm not
happy with the intensity of that first unit as a unit," he said.
"No individuals in particular, but as a unit we're not getting
that energy. We can't keep relying on the second unit to come in
and supply that energy. Sometimes those guys want to come in with a
lead."
Starter Othella Harrington, who had 13 points, four rebounds and
six turnovers, didn't argue with his coach's assessment.
"If that's what he says, it's probably true," he said. "We've
got to make shots. If we make shots, the game will take care of
itself. We're playing phenomenal defense. It's not like last year
where teams were coming in and scoring at will. We're just not
making the shots and the plays."
Game notes
It was the fourth road game of the season for Denver. ...
Dickerson was placed on the injured list before the game with a
sprain to his left ankle he injured in Vancouver's loss to Dallas
on Saturday. Doug West was activated and played seven minutes,
scoring two points with two assists and a steal. ... The Nuggets
are 5-0 this season when holding opponents below 100 points.
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NBA Scoreboard
Denver Clubhouse
Vancouver Clubhouse
RECAPS
Philadelphia 114
Boston 90
Charlotte 100
Toronto 64
Dallas 107
Utah 98
Denver 95
Vancouver 92
New Jersey 86
LA Clippers 85
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