Sacramento – The Sacramento Kings definitely have the Nuggets’ number in California’s state capital. And that number is 20.
The Nuggets lost for the 20th straight time in Sacramento in a 94-87 setback to the Kings at Arco Arena. The last time Denver won in Sacramento was Jan. 7, 1997. The Nuggets have dropped 23 of the past 24 here and are 17-53 in California’s capital all-time.
“Nine straight years in this (place) we haven’t won,” Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony said. “I wasn’t a part of all of them, but I’ve been here for four years. I haven’t won here since I’ve been in the league. It’s always tough to come here and win in Arco Arena, regardless of how good their team is. Even if it’s a down year, it’s hard to win in Arco Arena.”
The Allen Iverson-less Nuggets (23-22) have also now lost five of their past six games. Bothered by smothering defense by Sacramento’s Ron Artest, Anthony was limited to 11 points below his NBA-leading scoring average, with 20 points on 7-of-25 shooting. Anthony was hampered by double-teams and a badly sprained middle finger on his right shooting hand. Denver shot 38.1 percent from the field and missed 15-of-25 3-point attempts.
“We didn’t have it tonight,” Anthony said. “We missed a lot of layups, especially me, around the rim. We missed a lot of chippers.”
Kings assistant Scott Brooks earned his first win as a head coach while taking over for head coach Eric Musselman. Musselman was serving the first of a two-game suspension as punishment for having a DUI offense. Brooks was an assistant in Denver the previous three seasons and went 0-4 when he replaced Nuggets head coach George Karl on the sidelines.
“(Karl) taught me so many things,” Brooks said. “I have big respect. His enthusiasm for the game has always been amazing to me for as long as he’s been in the game.”
Denver finished the first quarter ahead 27-24. But the Nuggets were outscored 29-16 in the second quarter before going into halftime down 53-43. Anthony and Kings guard Kevin Martin both scored 15 points in the first half. The Nuggets also allowed 16 points off 10 turnovers in the first half and lost forward Reggie Evans to a sprained right ankle.
Said Nuggets coach George Karl said: “Melo missed a lot of easy shots in the first half. We as a team missed a lot of easy shots.”
The Kings held a 67-57 lead after a Martin dunk with 3:50 left in the third quarter. But with Anthony on the bench, the Nuggets finished the third with a 11-5 run. An Eduardo Najera tip-in with 1.2 seconds remaining got them down by four, 72-68.
The Nuggets took the lead 72-71 after a Linas Kleiza 3-pointer with 11:42 remaining in the fourth quarter. But the Kings responded with a 12-1 run to take an 81-73 lead after a jumper by Artest. Nuggets center Marcus Camby left the game with a left groin strain with the Kings ahead 88-80 with 2:52 remaining.
J.R. Smith’s 3-pointer trimmed Denver’s deficit to 90-87 with 34.3 seconds left. But Artest followed with a wide-open 3-pointer with 17.4 remaining to push the Kings up for good 93-87.
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
