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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- When reserve center-forward Cherokee Parks
was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 28, it didn't seem
like a big deal. It is now.
Parks scored seven of his season-high 15 points in the fourth
quarter, and Lamar Odom had 15 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and
three blocked shots as the Los Angeles Clippers held off the Denver
Nuggets 92-86 on Wednesday night.
Parks who entered the game with a 3.8-point scoring average in
nine games for the Clippers, had 13 points and six rebounds in a
118-95 victory over the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers
on Sunday night.
He was even better against the Nuggets, making 7-of-9 shots --
mostly from long range -- and getting four rebounds, one assist, two
steals and one blocked shot in 26 minutes.
"I didn't think Cherokee would hit as many outside jumpers as
he did," Nuggets coach Dan Issel said. "That was certainly a key
to the game."
The Nuggets had a five-game winning streak snapped -- their
longest in a little over five years -- and lost for just the third
time in 13 games.
"It felt real good," said Parks, traded to the Clippers by the
Washington Wizards along with Obinna Ekezie, who was released right
after the deal for Tyrone Nesby. "We've got a young, young team.
I'm one of the serious vets, and I'm in my sixth year."
Parks has waited patiently for his chance.
"He didn't complain at all when he wasn't playing," said Eric
Piatkowski, who scored eight of his 14 in the fourth quarter.
"He's very high-energy, he does a lot of important things to help
you. And he can shoot the ball."
The Clippers, who won for only the third time in nine games,
went ahead for good by outscoring the Nuggets 29-6 to finish the
second quarter for a 52-38 halftime lead. But they had some anxious
moments down the stretch.
Nick Van Exel, who scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth
quarter, made a 3-pointer with 43.6 seconds remaining to make it
90-86. But those would be Denver's final points. Odom blocked a
shot by Raef LaFrentz before Earl Boykins made two free throws with
11 seconds left to complete the scoring.
"It was a good game for us against a quality team that's
playing very good basketball," Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said.
"Hopefully we can build on this."
Antonio McDyess led the Nuggets with 29 points and 13 rebounds,
reaching double figures in scoring and rebounding for the 10th
straight game and 16th in the last 17 games.
"It's just bad to come in here and give it up," McDyess said.
"The first half, we didn't give any effort at all. You can't look
over the Clippers, they're a dangerous team. I just think we came
in and took this team for granted. They're not the same Clipper
team."
Quentin Richardson scored 14 points and Michael Olowokandi had
12 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers.
The Nuggets scored the first four points of the fourth quarter,
but a jumper by Parks and a 3-pointer by Piatkowski gave the
Clippers a 74-62 lead with 10½ minutes to play.
McDyess then scored 10 points in the next 4½ minutes to spark a
12-5 run, drawing the Nuggets within five with just over six
minutes remaining. But that was as close as Denver would get until
the final minute.
The Clippers scored the final seven points of the third period
to take a 69-58 lead.
Game notes
Denver's George McCloud, averaging nine points, missed his
second straight game. Tending to a family matter in Miami, he's
expected to be back Friday night against Sacramento. ... The
Nuggets haven't won six in a row in almost 10 years. ... The
Nuggets entered with a 20-15 record, putting them five games over
.500 for the first time since the 1989-90 season. ... The Clippers
beat the Nuggets for only the second time in 10 games. ... The
Clippers, 13-24, won only 15 games last season. ... The Nuggets
scored the first seven points of the first and third quarters. ...
The Nuggets entered the game having allowed 99.9 points per game --
second-highest average in the NBA. ... Backup Clippers center Sean
Rooks played only three minutes because of the flu.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Denver Clubhouse
LA Clippers Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 88
Miami 76
Seattle 104
Washington 101
Toronto 110
Detroit 85
Dallas 106
Minnesota 86
Portland 93
Philadelphia 75
LA Clippers 92
Denver 86
Sacramento 108
Cleveland 103
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