W-OLF
04-11-2006, 03:04 PM
AP) - Carmelo Anthony was only 3 years old the last time the Denver Nuggets won a division title. Anthony scored 28 points to lead Denver to its first division crown since the 1987-88 season with a 110-98 victory over Portland on Monday night.
The Northwest Division title came sooner than most expected for the young Nuggets, who drafted Anthony with the third pick in the 2003 draft.
"I don't think anybody thought we'd be where we are now, after three years," said Anthony, whose 26.8 points leads the team. "This is one of the stages we've been trying to get to. Now that we're here, we want to move forward and win a playoff series."
Karl, who came to Denver last season, agreed with his young star.
"This is just the beginning," he said. "It was our goal at the beginning of the season, so we've accomplished a goal through difficult injuries and circumstances."
Marcus Camby added 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for the Nuggets, whose last division title was in 1987-88 when they played in the Midwest Division.
Ruben Patterson scored 21 points after persuading Denver coach George Karl to let him start in his first trip to Portland since coming over from the Blazers in a four-team deal Feb. 23.
"I told Karl you just got to let me loose, and if I start acting up you can put me back in my cage." Patterson said.
In other games, it was: Utah 85, Houston 83; Dallas 75, Los Angeles Clippers 73; Cleveland 103, New Orleans 101; Philadelphia 105, Washington 97; Indiana 101, New York 82; and Orlando 105, Atlanta 88.
The Nuggets, who dressed only 10 players because of injuries, entered the game needing one win or a loss by Utah to clinch the Northwest Division crown. The Jazz held off the Houston Rockets, but the Nuggets pulled away from Portland in the third quarter.
"There's an inner confidence that comes from winning a division," Karl said. "We celebrated within ourselves, said some thanks and congratulated each other. Hopefully its the beginning of a tradition and something we can accomplish every year."
Jazz 85, Rockets 83
At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer scored 25 points and the Jazz kept their slim playoff hopes alive by holding off Houston when Juwan Howard's shot at the buzzer was ruled too late.
The Rockets, who lost center Yao Ming in the first quarter with a broken foot, had a chance after Boozer went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line with 4.3 seconds left.
Mavericks 75, Clippers 73
At Los Angeles, Dirk Nowitzki's 18-foot jumper with 0.7 seconds remaining lifted Dallas.
With the Mavericks leading 73-67, the Clippers scored six straight points to tie it with 17 seconds left.
The Mavericks then got the ball to Nowitzki, who connected to give the Mavericks their fifth straight victory and move them within a half-game of the Southwest Division-leading San Antonio Spurs in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Nowitzki finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Chris Kaman led the Clippers with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Cavaliers 103, Hornets 101
At Oklahoma City, LeBron James hit a jumper from the top of the key with 0.5 seconds left to lift the Cavaliers.
After P.J. Brown blocked James' driving layup, Desmond Mason tied it at 101 when he made one of two free throws with 5.8 seconds left.
Mason then had the task of guarding James - who scored 32 points - off an inbounds pass from Flip Murray, but couldn't stop him from elevating just inside the 3-point line for the game-winner.
Chris Paul led New Orleans with 22 points.
76ers 105, Wizards 97
At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson had 26 points and 15 assists and Kyle Korver scored 20 off the bench, helping the 76ers move into sole possession of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Stephen Hunter, playing for the injured Chris Webber, tied a career high with 20 points as the Sixers won their second straight to move a half-game ahead of Chicago for eighth place in the East.
Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 37 and Gilbert Arenas had 32 for Washington, which missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.
Pacers 101, Knicks 82
At Indianapolis, Stephen Jackson scored 28 points and Peja Stojakovic added 23 to help the Pacers beat New York and improve their chances of making the playoffs.
Austin Croshere added 17 points and 11 rebounds as the Pacers moved into a tie for the sixth position in the Eastern Conference.
Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 26 points and seven assists.
Magic 105, Hawks 88
At Orlando, Fla., Dwight Howard scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help the Magic keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Howard tied his career high with six assists as the Magic won for the ninth time in their last 10 games.
Orlando (33-44) is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, three games behind Philadelphia for the final playoff spot. The Magic have five games remaining.
Al Harrington led the Hawks with 19 points.
credit BellSouth
The Northwest Division title came sooner than most expected for the young Nuggets, who drafted Anthony with the third pick in the 2003 draft.
"I don't think anybody thought we'd be where we are now, after three years," said Anthony, whose 26.8 points leads the team. "This is one of the stages we've been trying to get to. Now that we're here, we want to move forward and win a playoff series."
Karl, who came to Denver last season, agreed with his young star.
"This is just the beginning," he said. "It was our goal at the beginning of the season, so we've accomplished a goal through difficult injuries and circumstances."
Marcus Camby added 21 points, 13 rebounds and four blocks for the Nuggets, whose last division title was in 1987-88 when they played in the Midwest Division.
Ruben Patterson scored 21 points after persuading Denver coach George Karl to let him start in his first trip to Portland since coming over from the Blazers in a four-team deal Feb. 23.
"I told Karl you just got to let me loose, and if I start acting up you can put me back in my cage." Patterson said.
In other games, it was: Utah 85, Houston 83; Dallas 75, Los Angeles Clippers 73; Cleveland 103, New Orleans 101; Philadelphia 105, Washington 97; Indiana 101, New York 82; and Orlando 105, Atlanta 88.
The Nuggets, who dressed only 10 players because of injuries, entered the game needing one win or a loss by Utah to clinch the Northwest Division crown. The Jazz held off the Houston Rockets, but the Nuggets pulled away from Portland in the third quarter.
"There's an inner confidence that comes from winning a division," Karl said. "We celebrated within ourselves, said some thanks and congratulated each other. Hopefully its the beginning of a tradition and something we can accomplish every year."
Jazz 85, Rockets 83
At Salt Lake City, Carlos Boozer scored 25 points and the Jazz kept their slim playoff hopes alive by holding off Houston when Juwan Howard's shot at the buzzer was ruled too late.
The Rockets, who lost center Yao Ming in the first quarter with a broken foot, had a chance after Boozer went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line with 4.3 seconds left.
Mavericks 75, Clippers 73
At Los Angeles, Dirk Nowitzki's 18-foot jumper with 0.7 seconds remaining lifted Dallas.
With the Mavericks leading 73-67, the Clippers scored six straight points to tie it with 17 seconds left.
The Mavericks then got the ball to Nowitzki, who connected to give the Mavericks their fifth straight victory and move them within a half-game of the Southwest Division-leading San Antonio Spurs in the race for the top seed in the Western Conference.
Nowitzki finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds.
Chris Kaman led the Clippers with 22 points and 12 rebounds.
Cavaliers 103, Hornets 101
At Oklahoma City, LeBron James hit a jumper from the top of the key with 0.5 seconds left to lift the Cavaliers.
After P.J. Brown blocked James' driving layup, Desmond Mason tied it at 101 when he made one of two free throws with 5.8 seconds left.
Mason then had the task of guarding James - who scored 32 points - off an inbounds pass from Flip Murray, but couldn't stop him from elevating just inside the 3-point line for the game-winner.
Chris Paul led New Orleans with 22 points.
76ers 105, Wizards 97
At Philadelphia, Allen Iverson had 26 points and 15 assists and Kyle Korver scored 20 off the bench, helping the 76ers move into sole possession of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Stephen Hunter, playing for the injured Chris Webber, tied a career high with 20 points as the Sixers won their second straight to move a half-game ahead of Chicago for eighth place in the East.
Antawn Jamison scored a season-high 37 and Gilbert Arenas had 32 for Washington, which missed an opportunity to clinch a playoff spot.
Pacers 101, Knicks 82
At Indianapolis, Stephen Jackson scored 28 points and Peja Stojakovic added 23 to help the Pacers beat New York and improve their chances of making the playoffs.
Austin Croshere added 17 points and 11 rebounds as the Pacers moved into a tie for the sixth position in the Eastern Conference.
Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 26 points and seven assists.
Magic 105, Hawks 88
At Orlando, Fla., Dwight Howard scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to help the Magic keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Howard tied his career high with six assists as the Magic won for the ninth time in their last 10 games.
Orlando (33-44) is in 10th place in the Eastern Conference, three games behind Philadelphia for the final playoff spot. The Magic have five games remaining.
Al Harrington led the Hawks with 19 points.
credit BellSouth