As the jump shot whirled downward toward the hoop, the fans shot upward from the Pepsi Center seats, anticipating the inevitable.
Indeed, J.R. Smith swished another 3 — this was his sixth of the game, and it was just the second quarter — and as he headed back on defense, one could have sworn he was floating.
Denver defeated Utah 114-104 on Thursday night, and did so thanks to Smith’s game-high 28 points. Smith attempted just one 2-pointer, but he made eight 3s — shooting 8-for-14 overall — while tying a career-high with seven assists.
“Tonight, (being in the zone) was different than any other time, because normally it’s catch-and-shoot, but tonight it was off-the-dribble 3s,” Smith said. “It was unbelievable. I was shocked with myself with some of the shots.”
The win, as many have been these days, was the biggest of the Nuggets’ season. Not only did Denver (50-26) match its win total from last season (with six games left this season), Denver gained another half-game on San Antonio, and now the Nuggets are in second place in the Western Conference by a whole game. And this win also made a statement to Utah, the team that routinely beats Denver.
“We feel that we’ve moved into the same level that they are, in a mature way, rather than a macho, egotistical way at times,” Denver coach George Karl said. “Last year, we were more macho. This year, we don’t strut it — we just believe it.”
The defending division champion Jazz (46-29) is now 3 1/2 games behind Denver in the Northwest, while Portland trails by two games. The division winner is guaranteed a top-four seeding in the Western Conference playoffs where, possibly, the Nuggets could face the Jazz in the first round.
The Nuggets trailed 20-10 early, but got hot, and when Anthony Carter stripped the ball from Mehmet Okur and made a buzzer-beating layup at the half, Denver led 54-43.
Smith was the story. The kid averages 14.5 points per game, but he had absolutely tormented Utah in the three previous meetings, with point totals of 17, 22 and 27.
Asked before the game about Smith coming off the bench, Utah coach Jerry Sloan said: “He played against our first unit and killed us, so you certainly have to be worried about our second unit. He’s a terrific athlete first of all, can shoot the ball a long range and can put it on the floor — and he’s a very strong guy. That’s the thing when you look at him, you fail to realize how strong he is. And he’s getting more experience and settling down in his game.”
And Smith was locked in, even making a herky-jerky buzzer-beater 3 at the end of the first quarter, launched from 26 feet near the top of the key. He went to the locker room with 21 points.
Fellow reserve Chris Andersen was the ideal defensive complement, getting 10 rebounds and a career-high eight blocked shots.
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points on 9-for-25 shooting, including a searing split through the lane from the right perimeter, scoring a layup that gave Denver a double-digit lead in the final three minutes.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
Nuggets Recap
What you might have missed
In the third quarter, forward Kenyon Martin suffered a left rib cartilage strain. He didn’t return but X-rays were negative. . . . The Nuggets’ plan was to slow down Utah’s Deron Williams, and they did just that for most of the game. But Williams came on strong in the fourth and finished with 18 points and 10 assists. . . . Carmelo Anthony got his 14th technical foul of the season. If he gets 16, he will have to miss a regular-season game.
Final thought
A statement win, thanks to smart defense and sharp shooting.
Up next
Saturday vs. Los Angeles Clippers, 7 p.m.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
