For that kid playing sports who might not be the tallest, the biggest or the most confident, the Nuggets’ victory Tuesday night was for you.
The two shortest Nuggets, newcomer Allen Iverson and reserve Earl Boykins, each scored 28 points during a 116-105 victory over the Boston Celtics at the Pepsi Center. The 6-foot, 165-pound Iverson recorded his seventh double-double of the season and had a season high- tying 13 assists. Meanwhile, the 5-5, 133-pound Boykins was one point shy of tying a season high. Denver (15-10) is 1-1 since acquiring Iverson from Philadelphia on Dec. 19.
“Play with your heart,” Iverson said. “Size doesn’t mean nothing. Just play with your heart in any sport, in anything you do. It doesn’t have to be a sport. Play with your heart and believe in yourself. That’s the whole thing.
“In basketball, you have to believe in yourself. You could be the greatest basketball player in the world, (but) if you don’t have any confidence, you don’t have any heart and you don’t believe in yourself, it’s all going to go to waste.”
Nuggets coach George Karl moved within one win of becoming the 12th coach in NBA history to win 800 games. He could reach the milestone Thursday against a team that he coached in the 1996 NBA Finals but didn’t renew his contract in 1998 – the Seattle SuperSonics.
“Well, I’ll probably think about that some, but only after worrying about trying to win games,” Karl said.
Minus NBA leading scorer Carmelo Anthony because of a suspension until Jan. 22 and starting shooting guard J.R. Smith because of a suspension to Jan. 10, and with starting center Marcus Camby day to day with a hand injury, at first it was uncertain who would shoulder the scoring load with Iverson. The answer has been Boykins. In two games together, Iverson has averaged 25 points and 11.5 assists and Boykins has contributed an average of 26.5 points and 6.5 assists.
“We’re just playing good together,” said Iverson, who also had four steals and played 43 minutes, 47 seconds. “I wanted to make sure he got a lot of wide-open looks, the way he can shoot the ball.”
Said Boykins: “Allen is a guy who pushes the ball, and he fits perfect into our system. We haven’t changed anything since he arrived. No one had to change the way he played. He’s come in and fit in, and he’s playing great basketball and he’s inspired.”
Iverson made his first start as a Nugget against Boston. He was the last Denver starter introduced and was given a rousing welcome from Nuggets fans.
“I had (nervousness) in the beginning when we did starting lineups,” Iverson said. “But I was ready to go.”
The Nuggets led 57-47 at halftime after getting 12 points, five assists and two steals from Iverson and 16 points from Boykins. Iverson and Boykins combined for 28 of the Nuggets’ 59 points in the second half.
“They are sure fun to watch,” Karl said.
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
A.I.’s numbers on the rise
How Allen Iverson fared in Game 2 on Tuesday with the Nuggets, compared with his debut last Friday:
Game Min. FG-FGA FT-FTA Asst. TO Pts.
Game 1 39 9-15 2-6 10 2 22
Game 2 44 9-22 9-13 13 6 28
