HOUSTON — Late-game pressure situations are the time when these Nuggets have thrived this season. But not Monday.
The Nuggets failed to convert when they needed to most in a 115-113 loss to the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center. As a result they dropped their fourth consecutive game to the Rockets in Houston.
With 1:05 left, J.R. Smith hit a 3-pointer that closed the Nuggets deficit to 114-113. The Nuggets did not score again. Smith missed a 3-pointer, Nene missed a tip-in and, with a chance to tie with 2.6 seconds left, Kenyon Martin missed the first free throw, missed the second intentionally and Yao Ming (31 points) snagged the rebound to seal the game.
The loss is the second in a row for the Nuggets, who face Sacramento tonight.
Smith scored 17 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. Nene added 23 and 12 rebounds while Martin finished with 22.
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
