Nuggets Top Thunder in Overtime 121-118
The Denver Nuggets got a big win on Sunday over the Oklahoma City Thunder in overtime 121-118. Although this was not the big win many of their fans were hoping would come this Sunday, maybe the Nuggets win will be a bright spot for Denver fans, who were hoping they would be hosting the AFC Championship Game yesterday.
The Nuggets got the go-ahead layup from Kenneth Faried in overtime to improve to 25-18 on the season. Corey Brewer scored 15 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to lead them in scoring. Kevin Durant led the Thunder with 37 points and Russell Westbrook added 36 as they fell to 32-9 on the season. This sets up Tuesday’s showdown between to Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers, both of whom are 32-9 at the halfway point in the regular season.
This game was close throughout as the two teams were tied at 25-25 after the first quarter, Denver led 51-50 at halftime and 81-79 after three quarters. The teams were tied 111-111 after regulation. Denver pulled ahead 101-90 and with 3:04 left they were up 107-96. But the Thunder then went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to one point with 1:26 to go. Danilo Galinari then hit two free throws to make it 109-106. From there, Westbrook mailed a three pointer to tie it with 22.9 left. Andre Miller and Durant each made two free throws with less than six seconds to go to send the game into overtime.
In other Sunday action in the NBA, The Dallas Mavericks beat the Orlando Magic 111-105. The Mavericks were coming off a tough overtime loss on Friday to the Thunder and really needed to win this game. Shawn Marion led the Mavericks with 20 points as seven of the Dallas players finished in double figures. They raised their record to 18-24 on the season. Glen Davis led the Magic with 24 points as they dipped to 14-26 on the season.
The Los Angeles Lakers dug themselves a bit deeper into the hole they are currently finding their playoffs in as they lost to the Toronto Raptors 108-103. Dwight Howard was hit with two technicals in the first half and was ejected as the Lakers fell to 17-23 on the season. Landry Fields led the Raptors with 18 points and 10 rebounds as they handed the Lakers their fifth straight road loss. The Raptors improved to 15-26 on the year. Kobe Bryant led the Lakers with 26 points and Pau Gasol added 25.
The Detroit Pistons beat the Boston Celtics on their first game back since playing the New York Knicks in London on Thursday. Andre Drummond had 16 points to lead the Pistons and three others finished with 15 points each as they improved to 15-25. Boston dropped to 20-20 and was led by Kevin Garnett and Courtney Lee with 16 points each.
