RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- The Portland Trail Blazers emerged from
their offensive slumber, getting coach Mike Dunleavy off their
backs.
Steve Smith, Bonzi Wells and Dale Davis each scored 17 points as
the Portland Trail Blazers finally put together a complete game and
defeated the weary Denver Nuggets 107-91 Thursday night.
"I think we're getting the rough edges smoothed out," said
Shawn Kemp, who added 15 points and four assists before fouling
out. "We shared the ball. I think that's the direction we need to
go in."
Portland had looked old and slow on offense the first five
games, averaging only 87.4 points per game -- third-worst in the
league. Dunleavy, under intense pressure to get his talented team
to the NBA Finals, scolded his players for their effort in an ugly
win over Atlanta on Tuesday night, saying "nobody is guaranteed
minutes."
His mood improved considerably after seeing the stat sheet from
Thursday's win: 31 assists against just 11 turnovers, and six
players in double figures.
"That's the kind of balance we like," Dunleavy said. "We
showed good ball movement and good patience on our execution."
Rasheed Wallace had 15 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and four
steals for the Blazers, and Damon Stoudamire had 15 points and 10
assists. Stoudamire ran the offense well and was strong at the
other end, something he's not known for.
"Damon did a great job tonight," Dunleavy said. "I was
particularly pleased with him working the ball, making them use up
the clock."
The Blazers won their second straight to improve to 3-3, tying
the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers for third place in the
Pacific Division.
The Nuggets, who needed a last-second shot to beat Minnesota on
Wednesday night, were led by Nick Van Exel's 23 points. Antonio
McDyess had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Denver pulled to 64-62 on a 3-pointer by Tariq Abdul-Wahad with
5:28 left in the third quarter. Smith scored six of the next eight
points for the Blazers, and his dunk on a feed from Stoudamire
pushed the lead to 72-64.
A basket by McDyess to open the fourth quarter cut the lead to
81-74, but Portland responded with a 12-4 run, and Kemp's 22-foot
jumper put it away at 95-78 with 5:48 to go.
"We had our chances, but we didn't finish off the end of the
third, and didn't start the fourth the way we should have," Van
Exel said. "That was pretty much the turning point of the game."
The Blazers took an early 18-7 lead, but the Nuggets stayed in
it by hitting from the outside. After missing its first seven shots
from 18 feet and beyond, Denver made eight of the next 12, and
George McCloud scored 11 points in the period.
Voshon Lenard's 3-pointer cut the lead to 39-36, but he was
taken out because he couldn't stop Wells, who scored the Blazers'
last nine points of the second quarter.
"That's what I do. That's my M.O.," Wells said of his moves to
the basket. "Sometimes, when you're aggressive, some guys tend to
shy down a little bit."
Late in the first half, Wells was double-teamed and dished to
Stacey Augmon, who whipped a no-look pass back to Wells for a tough
layup. He got knocked to the floor and made his free throw for a
50-41 halftime lead.
Game
notes
The Blazers appear ready to activate center Arvydas Sabonis
sometime during their upcoming seven-game road trip, which begins
Monday in New Jersey. Sabonis had surgery on his left knee Oct. 13
but worked hard in the shootaround before the game and was the last
Blazer to leave the floor. ... The Blazers are 44-10 against the
Nuggets in Portland. ... ... Nuggets forward Tracy Murray still
can't get much playing time. He didn't get in for the fourth time
in six games and has played just 15 minutes. ... Portland's Scottie
Pippen scored just three points on 1-of-5 shooting.
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NBA Scoreboard
Denver Clubhouse
Portland Clubhouse
RECAPS
Seattle 102
Charlotte 94
Detroit 108
New Jersey 94
Philadelphia 84
Minnesota 82
Chicago 95
Orlando 90
Houston 85
Vancouver 78
Phoenix 88
Atlanta 79
Portland 107
Denver 91
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Dale Davis completes the Blazers' fast break.
avi: 653 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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