Understandably, there was some concern Wednesday night, because the Nuggets would play without Carmelo Anthony and his 21 points per game. That was the hand they were dealt.
No worries, though. Three other Nuggets hit blackjack.
Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith and fill-in starter Linas Kleiza all scored 21 points in Denver’s 108-97 victory over Miami at the Pepsi Center. It was a beautiful group effort by the home team, which led the entire game but fought off a late Miami surge, when the Heat cut the lead to three with 9:26 left in the game.
“I don’t think we’re afraid of our challenge,” said Nuggets coach George Karl, whose team played for the first time since Anthony fractured his shooting hand. “There are moments, I’m sure we’ll lose a game — hopefully we won’t — where we go, ‘Awww, this is too hard.’ But I think the more wins we get early, the more confidence we’ll have later.”
The first-place Nuggets (25-12) are 3-0 on this prolonged homestand, entering four difficult home games in the next 10 days, beginning with Detroit on Friday, followed by Dallas, Phoenix and Orlando. That’s a lot of big bodies — Dwight Howard and Shaquille O’Neal come to mind — which makes Denver’s Wednesday acquisition of reserve center Johan Petro even more welcoming.
Against Miami (18-16), Karl felt Kleiza was responsible for establishing the pace of the game — race-car fast.
Kleiza is the Nuggets’ best floor runner. His gap penetration gave Denver early confidence, the coach said. Counter that with Kleiza’s outside shot — he made three 3-pointers in the first half — and he fit swimmingly in Anthony’s small forward spot, at least for a night.
The Nuggets shot 10-for-21 from 3-point range — 47.6 percent, not bad at all. Power forward Kenyon Martin actually made two (his only attempts), and Billups and Smith tallied two, too.
Nuggets guard Anthony Carter continues to play with an injured right elbow, which he suffered Dec. 22.
“The passes over the top and just some of the passes I’m making are just careless,” he said, “because my elbow is popping every time I throw the ball. But I’m still out there playing.”
Indeed he is, and he notched a game-high nine assists in just 26 minutes.
Wednesday’s game was broadcast by ESPN, which trotted out famous college basketball announcer Dick Vitale to do a rare NBA game.
In the hallway before the game, he pontificated about the players in Wednesday’s game who, his words, “grew from Diaper Dandies to Rolls-Royce superstars,” notably Denver’s Anthony and Miami guard Dwyane Wade, who scored a game-high 31 points.
“George (Karl) has done a phenomenal job with this club,” Vitale said with his trademark enthusiasm. “And Chauncey Billups . . .”
Just as he said his name, Billups showed up beside Vitale, who hugged him like a long, lost relative.
“We’re talking about you!” Vitale screamed. “A great acquisition, stroke of genius, guys a winner, makes free throws at the end of the game, hits big shots, guards people!”
“Don’t jinx me!” Billups said with a smile.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
Nuggets Recap
What you might have missed
With just seconds left in the first half, Denver’s J.R. Smith made a steal around midcourt, embarking in a race against time, while he dribbled toward the basket. Smith leapt from just inside the free-throw line and slammed a thrilling, two-handed dunk as the buzzer sounded. It was ruled no basket — the ball was dunked just after the buzzer sounded.
Final thought
Gritty effort, pretty good defense and confident deep-ball shooting. Not bad against a pretty good team.
Up next
Friday vs. Detroit, 7 p.m.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
