Nuggets drop Spurs

NBA roundup

Chandler’s shot delivers Denver

March 24, 2011|Associated Press
  • The Pacers Danny Granger, who scored 33 points, was fouled by Kwame Brown, but the Bobcats couldnt slow down Indiana.
The Pacers Danny Granger, who scored 33 points, was fouled by Kwame Brown,… (Chuck Burton/Associated…)

Wilson Chandler hit a go-ahead jumper with 29.3 seconds remaining and the Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs, 115-112, last night in Denver.

The Spurs were playing their first game since losing Tim Duncan indefinitely to a left ankle sprain in Monday night’s night win over Golden State.

Rookie center Tiago Splitter got the start in place of Duncan and had a quiet night, scoring 4 points and remaining on the bench after picking up his fourth foul with 5:37 left in the third quarter.

Ahead by 5 at the half, the Spurs took a 93-90 lead into the fourth quarter and stretched it to 98-91 on a layup by Matt Bonner. That’s when the Nuggets countered with an 11-0 flurry that put them in front, 102-98, for their first lead since the game’s opening moments. Al Harrington had 3-pointers to start and finish the flurry.

The Spurs tied it at 112 on a layup by Gary Neal with 1:34 remaining before Wilson hit the decisive jumper from just inside the foul line. After Manu Ginobili missed a jumper, the Spurs fouled Raymond Felton, who made one of two free throws with 9.5 seconds left.

Ginobili missed badly at the buzzer trying for a tying 3-pointer.

Al Harrington had 27 points, including five 3 pointers, to lead the Nuggets, who snapped a five-game losing streak to the Spurs while extending their home winning streak eight games. Felton and J.R. Smith each added 18 points for the Nuggets.

Pacers 111, Bobcats 88 — Danny Granger scored 33 points and Indiana created breathing room from one of its closest competitors for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot with a victory in Charlotte.

Tyler Hansbrough added 24 points and Roy Hibbert had 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Pacers, who moved three games ahead of Charlotte for eighth place by completing a four-game season sweep.

Heat 100, Pistons 94 — Dwyane Wade scored 24 points and Chris Bosh added 23 to help Miami rally to victory in Auburn Hills, Mich.

LeBron James had 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists for Miami, which has won six of seven following a five-game losing streak.

Thunder 106, Jazz 94 — Russell Westbrook scored 31 points, Kevin Durant added 29, and host Oklahoma City pulled away from depleted Utah in the second half.

The Jazz played without starting point guard Devin Harris because of a strained right hamstring, and Andrei Kirilenko sat out the second half after bruising a nerve in his left knee.

Rockets 131, Warriors 112 — Kevin Martin scored 34 points, Chuck Hayes got his first career triple-double, and host Houston defeated Golden State for its fifth straight victory.

Hayes had 14 rebounds, 13 points, and 11 assists for the Rockets, who remained two games behind Memphis for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

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