Nuggets-Hornets Preview

By NOEY KUPCHAN
Posted Apr 03 2012 5:43PM

The Denver Nuggets caught a break in their last game with their opponent's best player sitting out due to injury.

They won't be as fortunate Wednesday night with the New Orleans Hornets' Eric Gordon expected to return following a three-month absence.

It remains to be seen, however, how much of an impact Gordon will have as he takes the court for just the third time this season to face Denver, which concludes a seven-game road trip seeking a third straight win.

Gordon, acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers in the Chris Paul trade, has appeared in just two games for the Hornets (13-40). He posted 20 points and suffered what proved to be a costly bruised right knee in the season opener before scoring 22 while attempting to come back just over a week later in a 101-93 loss to Philadelphia on Jan. 4.

The former Indiana Hoosiers star has been out since that game - he underwent arthroscopic surgery Feb. 14 - but made it through Tuesday's full-contact practice without any setbacks.

"I'm looking forward to playing (Wednesday)," said Gordon, who averaged 22.3 points last season. "I look forward to winning, that's the key, No. 1 thing. I know a lot of people are looking for my individual play, and that will come, but I'm looking forward to winning."

While Western Conference-worst New Orleans already has been eliminated from playoff contention, the seventh-place Nuggets (29-24) find themselves in the thick of the race.

Denver dropped three of four to open its trek but has since picked up a bit of steam. Two nights after defeating Charlotte 99-88, the Nuggets pulled out a 104-101 win over short-handed Orlando on Sunday.

"It's a big win. It's a momentum game for us ... if we get it rolling toward the playoffs," said Ty Lawson, averaging 23.0 points in his last four games.

Lawson had 25 points and nine assists Sunday while Arron Afflalo scored 22 for Denver, which shot 55.6 percent against a Magic team that was without Dwight Howard due to back spasms.

"With our schedule we probably shouldn't have won two in a row," coach George Karl said. "I'm happy. It's a great win. ... It was an opportunity that was given to us and I think we took advantage."

The Hornets, meanwhile, suffered their third straight defeat Sunday, 92-75 at Phoenix. Chris Kaman (bronchitis) scored eight points while Gustavo Ayon (personal) had four in their returns from five- and three-game absences, respectively.

Continuing to play without Emeka Okafor, the Hornets - in addition to Gordon - might have Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza available Wednesday. Landry has missed the last two games and Ariza the past four with ankle problems.

"We are going through a tough time but I love it, because I know hard work pays off and we are going to continue to work hard," guard Greivis Vasquez said. "We are doing the right thing and coming up short but it will pay off."

Denver's Wilson Chandler may return after sitting out Sunday with a strained groin.

The Nuggets, who beat the Hornets 110-97 on March 9, have taken six of nine in the series - including three of four in New Orleans.

Gordon returns, Hornets beat Nuggets, 94-92

By BRETT MARTEL
Posted Apr 05 2012 12:55AM

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Eric Gordon's rustiness from a three-month layoff showed up in the form of two early air balls and misses on his first four shots.

Too bad for the Denver Nuggets that Gordon maintained his knack for scoring in the clutch.

Gordon scored 15 points in his long-awaited return from a right knee injury, capping the performance with two free throws in the final seconds to lift the New Orleans Hornets to a 94-92 victory over the Nuggets on Wednesday night.

"It feels good," said Gordon, who had not played since Jan. 4 because of a right knee bruise that required arthroscopic surgery. "I just looked forward to winning and my individual game will come as far as stat wise."

Trevor Ariza scored 15 points, and Chris Kaman added 14 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans. The Hornets had six players score in double figures, including all five starters.

"That's good team basketball right there. You really can't script it much better than that," said Hornets forward Jason Smith, who had 10 points and made a steal on the final play to prevent Denver from getting off one final shot for the win or tie. "Tonight was an overall team win."

Ty Lawson scored 22 points for Denver, which tied it at 92 on Al Harrington's 3 from the corner with 10 seconds left, only to see Gordon bait Arron Afflalo into a foul on an up-fake near the lane with 2 seconds left.

Although Gordon was 3 of 11 from the field, he said there was no doubt in his mind he would find a way to put the Hornets back in front.

"I knew I was going to get the ball at the top of the key. It was just all about making a play," Gordon said. "(Afflalo) was guarding me pretty good, but when I was obviously getting ready to attack the basket, he was so close up to me I knew a pump-fake would probably have him up in the air."

Afflalo finished with 15 points and a career-high seven assists, and Harrington scored 14 points, but Denver was outrebounded 41-32 and allowed New Orleans to shoot 52 percent (35 of 67).

"Our defense broke down in the second half," Denver coach George Karl said. "Protecting the paint was very poor."

New Orleans surged into the lead, never to trail again, when Kaman hit a jumper and Smith scored twice during a 6-0 run to open the third quarter.

Soon after, Gordon hit a 3 and added a free throw to give New Orleans a 55-48 lead.

Denver pulled as close as 59-58 on Harrington's fast-break layup after one of New Orleans' 19 turnovers, but the Hornets wound up making nine of their first 11 shots in the quarter, including Gordon's driving layup and 3 in succession that made it 68-59.

The Hornets matched their largest lead when Gordon's free throw made it 86-75 with 6:51 to go, but New Orleans then went into a shooting slump, missing nine of its last 11 shots.

Afflalo started Denver's comeback, scoring inside as he was fouled for a three-point play. Kenneth Faried dunked and followed that with a three-point play of his own on a reverse layup.

Denver closed to 89-87 on Jordan Hamilton's reverse layup before Ariza's free throw and Kaman's putback gave New Orleans a late 92-87 lead.

"It was a tough loss, but we fought back," Hamilton said. "We just came up short."

The Nuggets played most of the fourth quarter without Andre Miller, who was ejected when he was called for a flagrant-2 foul on Carl Landry. Miller threw a forearm into Landry's ribs under the basket as the New Orleans forward tried to finish a fast break.

"Andre getting thrown out of the game was a big (problem) for us," Karl said. "He had a very good game going."

Landry, who remained in the game, stayed down on the baseline for several minutes while officials confirmed the call on video review.

"I'm fine," Landry said. "It was a hard foul and I just took my time getting up."

Landry finished with 12 points, while Greivis Vasquez had 11 points and 10 assists.

Faried had 13 points for the Nuggets.

After making only two of their first 16 shots and falling behind by 11 in the first quarter, the Nuggets shot 17 of 24 for the rest of the first half.

Lawson scored twice and Afflalo hit a 3 as Denver used an 11-0 run to tie it at 18 late in the first quarter.

Denver would up taking lead in the second quarter, though never by more than 3 points, and led 46-45 going into halftime.

Notes: The Hornets had their NBA-high 22nd starting lineup of the season. ... Denver closed out its seven-game road trip with a 3-4 record. ... The Hornets scratched point guard Jarrett Jack with a sore right ankle and replaced him with Vasquez. Denver's Wilson Chandler missed his second straight game with a strained left groin and Corey Brewer started for him. ... The teams split their four meetings this season. ... Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Christoph Waltz, sitting in courtside seats, were among the announced attendance of 15,020.

Notebook: Hornets 94, Nuggets 92

Posted Thursday April 5, 2012 12:10AM

By Larry Holder, for NBA.com

THE FACTS: Eric Gordon hit two free throws with 2.1 seconds remaining as the New Orleans Hornets defeated the Denver Nuggets 94-92 on Wednesday night at the New Orleans Arena. Gordon ended up with 15 points in nearly 34 minutes in his first game back with the team after missing the last 51 games with a knee injury. The Hornets are now 3-0 with Gordon and 11-40 without him.

QUOTABLE: "The toughest part of the game is in the second half and in the fourth quarter. I like moments. Sometimes during the second half, teams play tougher defensively and you have to knock down shots somehow. ... I started getting it together in the second half. It's the first game in a long time for me. In the first half, it showed."
-- Gordon on overcoming an anxious start to score 13 of his 15 points in the second half.

THE STAT: The Hornets pummeled the Nuggets in the third quarter shooting the basketball. New Orleans was on fire shooting 80 percent (12 of 15) from the floor, while Denver only made 30.4 percent of its attempts (7 of 23).

TURNING POINT: Gordon took the ball at he top of the key with about 10 seconds and drove to the hoop to draw a foul with 2.1 seconds. He made both free throws to essentially win the game. The Hornets led by as many as 11 points midway through the fourth quarter and Denver chipped away to tie it up with less than one minute left.

HOT: Take away the shooting performances by Gordon and guard Marco Belinelli, the rest of the Hornets team shot 62.2 percent from the field. This may be a small example of how Gordon opens things up for other players.

NOT: Nuggets guard Andre Miller may be receiving a call from the league in the near future. He hammered Hornets forward Carl Landry near the beginning of the fourth quarter on a layup attempt earning himself a flagrant two foul and an ejection.

ROOKIE WATCH: Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried continues to be a force in the low post for Denver in a starting role as the first-year player out of Morehead State had 13 points and eight rebounds against the Hornets.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Hornets center Chris Kaman compiled the best overall stat line with 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, one steal and five blocked shots.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Christoph Waltz attended Wednesday night's game in the New Orleans Arena.

NOTABLE: Gordon said that his knee felt fine after the game and he's looking forward to Friday's game in San Antonio. ... Hornets forward Trevor Ariza (ankle) and forward Landry (ankle) also returned to the lineup. Ariza scored 15 points in his his first game back after missing the last four games, while Landry added 12 points after his two-game hiatus. ... The Hornets still weren't 100 percent healthy, though, as point guard Jarrett Jack will miss the Nuggets game with an ankle injury. Williams didn't have a timetable as to when Jack would return to action. Greivis Vasquez started in Jack's place and tallied 11 points and 10 assists. ... Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler missed his second consecutive game with a strained groin, while guard Rudy Fernandez missed his eighth straight game with a strained back. ... Nuggets guard Ty Lawson led all scorers with 22 points. Arron Afflalo added 15 points, while Al Harrington chipped in 14 points.

UP NEXT: For the Nuggets, Friday vs. Phoenix, Saturday @ Golden State, Monday vs. Golden State. For the Hornets, Friday @ San Antonio, Saturday vs. Minnesota, Monday vs. L.A. Lakers.

• Nuggets: Chandler, Fernandez
• Hornets: Okafor

• Nuggets: Harrington
• Hornets: Landry

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 9

• Arena: New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA
• Officials: #57 Greg Willard, #30 John Goble, #60 James Williams
• Attendance: 15020
• Duration: 2:27