LOS ANGELES — Nuggets center Marcus Camby has scored in double figures in just five of Denver’s 11 games. But in the 12th game Wednesday, he scored 10 in the first quarter alone against the Clippers, fluidly getting to the basket despite a brawny defender in Chris Kaman.
It was an anomaly of a quarter for the defensive-oriented Camby. All season, he hadn’t attempted more than 11 shots in a game, but he attempted 10 in the first quarter Wednesday, making four. He also notched six first-quarter rebounds and two blocks.
Camby finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds.
Super, indeed. Denver guard Allen Iverson is 32, but his quickness and tenacity still astound coaches across the NBA.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy said, “that Iverson looks like he has not slowed down one bit.”
Iverson strained his hamstring at Monday’s practice but scored 22 points with a game-high six assists against Chicago on Tuesday. He then exploded early on Wednesday against Dunleavy’s Clippers, notching seven points and four assists in the first quarter, no signs of pain.
“There are those superman athletes,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “I coached one in Gary Payton. I think Michael Jordan is one. There are numerous athletes who don’t need two or three weeks to get in shape — they need two or three days. There are super athletes, and I think Iverson falls into that category.
Thank goodness. The Nuggets will have Thanksgiving off, Karl said, giving them some rest before another set of back-to-back games — against Minnesota on Friday at the Pepsi Center and at Houston on Saturday.
“It’s their day off, their freedom,” Karl said. “I’m planning to wake up, family dinner, neighbor dinner and watch some football.”
Camby will team up with Volunteers of America Colorado to serve 1,000 homeless people a Thanksgiving lunch at Jackson’s All-American Sports Grill. On Monday, forward Kenyon Martin delivered meals to 115 families in need at the Mount Carmel Community Baptist Church.
Whoops. With 44 seconds left in the first quarter, Denver forward Eduardo Najera calmly stepped to the free-throw line and shot an airball. After Najera and his teammates ceased laughing, he regrouped and made the second free throw. For the season, Najera shoots 71.4 percent from the line.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
