One quarter of drama did not compensate for three quarters of horror in the Nuggets’ 110-107 loss to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center, Denver’s sixth defeat in seven games.
Down 20 points in the second half, the Nuggets twice pulled within one late in the fourth quarter. But for the second straight game, early defensive sins rendered their comeback moot, sinking them to just a game over .500 (26-25).
“It’s Groundhog Day, you know?” a frustrated Nuggets coach George Karl said after the game. “We don’t defend in the first quarter. We dig a hole, because of whatever. We fight hard and almost win a game.”
Karl said he deserved as much blame as anyone as his team has allowed at least 28 points in seven of its last eight first quarters. Wednesday’s example was particularly rough, with the Bulls (21-27) staking out a 33-20 lead.
Before leading his team’s failed charge, small forward Carmelo Anthony shot 2-for-8 in that period and did not reach the foul line once until the second half. Anthony scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, while he and his teammates tightened up on defense and outscored Chicago 36-24. His 20-foot jumper from the wing lowered the Bulls’ edge to 108-107 with 1:03 remaining.
Denver earned a defensive stop on the other end but could not complete the comeback. Guard Earl Watson airballed a 3-pointer. The Nuggets got the ball back, but Tyson Chandler completed his dominant night down low by blocking an Anthony baseline drive with 14.9 seconds left, a play that Anthony and Karl both described as an uncalled foul.
After two Andres Nocioni free throws with 11.6 seconds left, Denver guard Boykins took his time initiating his team’s offense before Anthony fired a 3-point airball at the buzzer.
Anthony led his team with 31 points despite spraining his left thumb after tangling with Nocioni in the second quarter. He said the thumb felt sore, but X-rays proved negative. Marcus Camby had seven blocks and nine rebounds for Denver.
But guard Ben Gordon stole the show for Chicago, finishing with 30 points that were aided by 7-for-12 3-point shooting. Forward Darius Songaila added a season-high 21 points off the bench.
The Bulls also helped themselves by pulling down 16 offensive rebounds, which led to 15 second-chance points.
Asked to explain his team’s early problems, guard Andre Miller, who scored 22 points, replied, “Bad defense and them getting offensive rebounds. The other team coming in sharper. We’re prepared. We’re just not executing.”
The word “urgency” came up a lot in the Nuggets’ postgame locker room – specifically, what the team needs to do to play with some early so it doesn’t need an extra dose later. Anthony could only shrug his shoulders when asked where that urgency has gone.
“I wish I could tell you that,” he said. “It’s pretty hard to see right now. Every night for the last week-and-a-half it’s been the same.”
During that stretch, the Nuggets might have won more with four good quarters instead of one great one.
Staff writer Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or at athompson@denverpost.com.
