PHILADELPHIA — There was a moment during Saturday’s game at San Antonio that Nuggets coach George Karl actually thought about it. Then, Monday night, Karl actually did it — he played Ty Lawson down the stretch in the fourth quarter.
Lawson was a key reason Denver took the lead in the fourth quarter in both games, thanks to the rookie point guard’s toughness and speed. Eventually in San Antonio, Lawson went to the bench, but he finished the night with 11 points in 21 minutes, getting to the line seven times — and Denver knocked off a top team.
Then Lawson scored six points in the fourth quarter in the win in Philadelphia, finishing with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists.
“I looked at the clock,” Lawson said after Monday’s game, “and saw three minutes left. I thought, ‘I’m still out here, I must be doing something good.’ “
Melo’s court case.
Denver forward Carmelo Anthony had filed a lawsuit accusing a former business manager of misappropriating more than $2 million of his assets, but that suit has been provisionally dismissed by a federal judge in Sacramento, Calif., so Anthony’s lawyers can amend the complaint.
Judge William B. Shubb ruled the lawsuit “(did) not plead facts that plausibly suggest each defendant is liable for the claims in the complaint.”
Anthony’s attorneys have until Dec. 25 to file an amended complaint that would meet stricter pleading standards.
Local guy.
Former Colorado State player Jason Smith is in his third NBA season with Philadelphia, but it’s really his second because he missed all of last season after tearing the ACL in his left knee in August 2008.
“Coming back off the injury, I think I’m doing really well,” Smith said. “I’m trying not to let anything hinder me and just play as hard as I can.”
For the season, the forward is averaging 4.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 15.5 minutes.
(Other) Allen out.
Denver reserve forward Malik Allen was inactive because of flu- like symptoms.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
