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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
DENVER (AP) – The Denver Nuggets know they got lucky.
Nick Van Exel scored eight of his 18 points in the fourth
quarter, including two free throws in the final 34 seconds, as the
Nuggets beat the Atlanta Hawks 85-82 Saturday night.
Antonio McDyess added 19 points and 15 rebounds as Denver ended
a four-game losing streak.
"We squeaked one out," Van Exel said. "If we play like this
against anybody next week, we are going to get beat."
The game did not go the way Denver coach Dan Issel had
anticipated.
"When a sub-par team comes into your place, that is a game you
have to win," Issel said. "We missed layups, tip-ins and
wide-open jump shots, and shot less than 40 percent. We were
fortunate to get a win."
The Nuggets shot 39.5 percent and didn't have a field goal in
the final 3:28.
"I don't think anybody expected a close game, but anything can
happen," Van Exel said. "I mean, Washington came in here and beat
us,"
Van Exel added 10 assists and Voshon Lenard scored 11 points for
the Nuggets, who had lost 10 of their last 12 games.
Jason Terry scored 22 points and Lorenzo Wright had 10 points
and 11 rebounds for the Hawks, who dropped their second straight.
It was the Hawks' second game since they traded Dikembe Mutombo
to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Atlanta also gave up forward
Roshown McLeod in the deal for Theo Ratliff, Toni Kukoc, Nazr
Mohammed and Pepe Sanchez.
Ratliff is on the injured list after wrist surgery and Kukoc
didn't make the trip due to back spasms.
"We were on our heels a bit in the first quarter," Atlanta
coach Lon Krueger said. "We started battling a bit and picked it
up in the third quarter."
Van Exel hit two jumpers to give Denver a 74-68 lead early in
the fourth quarter.
Wright sandwiched a pair of jumpers around another basket by Van
Exel, as Atlanta closed within 79-76.
Terry converted a pair of free throws with 53 seconds left to
tie the game at 82. Van Exel managed to hit the second of two free
throws with 34 seconds left. Terry missed from 15 feet and Alan
Henderson misfired on the follow.
"The ball was glued to my hand. I couldn't release it," said
Terry of his attempt. "This was a game we should have won."
Ryan Bowen and Van Exel each made a free throw in the last 18
seconds, while Terry missed a 3-pointer and Brevin Knight lost the
ball while attempting to shoot with one second left.
Atlanta was within six points, 29-23, early in the second
quarter after two jumpers by Knight.
McDyess scored 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting and helped the
Nuggets to a 53-43 halftime lead.
Atlanta used a 12-4 run early in the second half to close within
57-55. The Hawks tied the game at 62 on Mohammed's follow of a miss
by Chris Crawford with 2:38 left in the third quarter. The Hawks
took their first lead 27 seconds later on a short jumper by
Mohammed.
Former Hawk Kevin Willis hit two free throws and a 15-foot
jumper in the last 2:21 as Denver took a 68-66 lead into the fourth
quarter.
^Notes:@ Kukoc won't play his first game for Atlanta until Monday at
Utah. ... Atlanta is 2-15 on the second night of back-to-back
games. ... McDyess needed three stitches to close a cut above his
right eye opened by teammate James Posey with 3:37 left in the
second quarter. ... Denver is 9-12 against Eastern Conference
teams. ...Denver failed to score 100 points for the ninth straight
game.
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NBA Scoreboard
Atlanta Clubhouse
Denver Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 106
Washington 99
Charlotte 86
Philadelphia 85
Miami 75
New Jersey 70
Chicago 90
Vancouver 75
San Antonio 107
Dallas 104
Denver 85
Atlanta 82
LA Clippers 123
Portland 120
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