NBA – JR’s 45 leads Nuggets over Kings
DENVER (NBA) - JR Smith exploded for 45 points to help the surprising Denver Nuggets clinch first place in the Northwest Division on Easter Monday. Smith had 11 three-pointers as Denver (54-27) destroyed Sacramento 118-98. The shooting guard's points haul was the biggest total ever posted by a Nuggets player coming off the ...
DENVER (NBA) - JR Smith exploded for 45 points to help the surprising Denver Nuggets clinch first place in the Northwest Division on Easter Monday.
Smith had 11 three-pointers as Denver (54-27) destroyed Sacramento 118-98.
The shooting guard's points haul was the biggest total ever posted by a Nuggets player coming off the bench.
More importantly for George Karl's team is that it clinched the division crown and a third seed in the Western Conference play-offs.
Should Denver win their next game against Portland, or if Dallas upset Houston, then Karl's team will lock up second place in the West.
Denver's Brazil international Nene chipped a tooth in the second half. He finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
The 54 wins by Denver equals a franchise record.
Dallas won 96-94 over Minnesota and Houston hammered New Orleans 86-66.
San Antonio also claimed a much-needed 101-72 triumph over Golden State while Portland cruised past Oklahoma City 113-83.
In the Western Conference, Houston, Portland and San Antonio are all 53-28.
Dallas are 49-32 and Utah 48-33.
The Jazz won their game at home over the LA Clippers 106-85.
In the Eastern Conference, Chicago remained red hot by winning 91-88 over Detroit.
The Bulls were on the outside of the play-offs looking in but they are now in sixth place ahead of Philadelphia and Detroit.
Other results: Cleveland 117 Indiana 109, Toronto 97 Washington 96, Charlotte 87 Milwaukee 98, Memphis 110 Phoenix 119.
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