The San Antonio Spurs turned up the defensive pressure to beat the Denver Nuggets 104-85 on Saturday, giving them a chance of avoiding the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs.
The win, powered by Tim Duncan’s 18 points and 10 rebounds, moved the Spurs into seventh place in the Western Conference, a position that would enable them to avoid the Lakers in the opening round.
“This was huge,” guard Manu Ginobili, who had 15 points and seven assists, told reporters. “Basically, if we lose this game, we’re settling for eighth.”
The Spurs had been put in that position with an untimely 107-99 loss to Memphis on Friday.
“To come back in the second game of a back-to-back was impressive to me,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
“I really enjoyed that. We had a pretty good night and Denver had one of those nights where it just wasn’t working,” the Spurs coach said. “They played tonight like we played last night.”
The loss could prove costly for the Nuggets, who are locked in a battle with Dallas and Utah for the No. 2 seed behind the Lakers in the West.
Dallas moved a half-game ahead of both Denver and Utah with a 126-108 win over Sacramento Kings on Saturday.
Despite shooting poorly, the Nuggets pulled within five points of the Spurs early in the fourth quarter.
Then the Spurs went on a 13-0 run to break open the game.
“Every loss at this point of the season is costly,” said Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, who had a game-high 27 points.
Denver was called for four technical fouls in the second half and Carmelo Anthony was ejected after picking up his second. He finished with 19 points.
The loss also dropped Denver into a tie with Utah for the Northwest Division lead.
“We’ve just got to win a couple games,” said forward Kenyon Martin, who returned to the lineup after missing 18 games and grabbed 10 rebounds. “We’ll see. All we’ve got to do is go out and win.”
CELTICS 105, BUCKS 90
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Paul Pierce scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half as Boston rested Kevin Garnett and still beat the Bucks.
After a rough game in Milwaukee last month, this one featured more pushing and shoving late and could be a sign of things to come in a first-round matchup in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Bucks coach Scott Skiles was ejected, Celtics forward Glen Davis squared off with Kurt Thomas and Bucks rookie Brandon Jennings was inadvertently kicked between the legs in the fourth quarter.
John Salmons overcame his stomach bug to score 21 points for the Bucks.
MAVERICKS 126, KINGS 108
In Sacramento, California, Dirk Nowitzki scored 39 points to help Dallas rout struggling Sacramento.
The victory, combined with Denver’s loss to San Antonio, moved the Mavericks into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference playoff race.
Dallas are one game ahead of Denver with two games remaining for both teams. The Mavericks can finish no worse than the fourth seed.
Jason Kidd had his second triple-double of the season and the 105th of his career, finishing 11 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for Dallas, who have won three straight.
Carl Landry scored 30 points for Sacramento.
HAWKS 105, WIZARDS 95
In Washington, Atlanta maintained third place in the NBA’s Eastern Conference by snapping their road woes and beating Washington.
Jamal Crawford scored 23 of his 28 points in the second half and Joe Johnson added 20 points as the Hawks won their first road game in seven attempts and beat the Wizards for the ninth straight time.
CLIPPERS 107, WARRIORS 104
In Los Angeles, the hosts snapped a seven-game losing streak with a tight win over Golden State.
Chris Kaman had 27 points and 10 rebounds while Steve Nowak hit the go-ahead three-pointer with 2:46 to play as the Clippers rallied from a six-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter.
Rookie Stephen Curry scored 29 points for the Warriors.
In other games it was:
• Bobcats 99, Pistons 95
• 76ers 120, Grizzlies 101
• Pacers 115, Nets 102
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