Cooper Helps Nuggets Snap Losing Streak

Three days after Michael Cooper took over following Jeff Bzdelik’s firing, the Denver Nuggets beat visiting Philadelphia 97-92 on Friday night to snap a six-game losing streak.

“I was excited, but I tried not to show the team that I was excited,” said Cooper, the Nuggets’ interim coach. “As a player, I looked to the bench and if Pat Riley was looking a little nervous it affected me on the floor.”

Cooper played it cool in his NBA coaching debut.

“My stomach was turning,” said Cooper, the longtime Lakers guard who coached the Los Angeles Sparks to two WNBA titles. “I wasn’t too concerned if we had lost the game. I just wanted to play well. And if you do that, then you’ve got something to build on.”

In other NBA games on Friday, it was: Houston 105, Milwaukee 90; San Antonio 98, the Los Angeles Clippers 79; Sacramento 109, Utah 102; Seattle 103, Charlotte 97; and Boston 108, Washington 103.

Carmelo Anthony led Denver with 24 points after missing five games because of a sprained ankle. He was 9-of-25 from the floor, but hit key shots in the fourth quarter and finished with eight rebounds and four assists.

Nene added 16 points and 12 rebounds in place of the injured Kenyon Martin, and DerMarr Johnson had 18 points and five assists, hitting a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep Denver close.

The Nuggets were at their best in the fourth quarter, holding Philadelphia star Allen Iverson to four points and the 76ers to 5-of-14 shooting. Iverson finished with 29 points on 11-of-28 shooting, going 1-for-6 in the final period.

“Toward the end, we clogged up the middle,” Anthony said.

After Iverson missed a scoop down the lane, Andre Miller made one of two free throws with 8.1 seconds left to give the Nuggets a three-point lead. Philadelphia’s Kyle Korver had a chance to tie it, but his 3-point try caromed off the back of the rim.

“We got the shots we wanted and the foul he (Iverson) wanted,” 76ers coach Jim O’Brien said. “At the end, Kyle got not a great look but an adequate one, so we executed fairly well down the stretch. It just didn’t fall our way.”

Rockets 105, Bucks 90

At Houston, Tracy McGrady scored 42 points to help the Rockets reach .500 (15-15) for the first time since they were 6-6 on Nov. 21.

Rockets center Yao Ming missed a game for the first time in his NBA career, sitting out because of the flu. Michael Redd led the Bucks with 21 points.

Spurs 98, Clippers 79

At Los Angeles, Tim Duncan scored 23 points, and Tony Parker added 21 points and 11 assists to lead San Antonio to its fifth straight victory.

The Spurs improved to 25-6 with their 17th victory in 20 games. Corey Maggette and Rick Brunson each had 17 points for the Clippers.

Kings 109, Jazz 102

At Salt Lake City, Chris Webber scored 14 of his 25 points in the third quarter to help the Kings snap a two-game losing streak. Peja Stojakovic led the Kings with 26 points. Utah’s Carlos Boozer had 25 points and 10 rebounds.

SuperSonics 103, Bobcats 97

At Charlotte, N.C., Rashard Lewis scored 27 points and Seattle made 11 3-pointers.

Vladimir Radmanovic added 21 points on 5-for-7 shooting from 3-point range. Emeka Okafor led the Bobcats with a career-high 27 points and had 10 rebounds for his 18th straight double-double.

Celtics 108, Wizards 103

At Boston, Paul Pierce scored 26 points, and Gary Payton added 18 to help the Celtics end a three-game losing streak. Washington’s Larry Hughes tied a season high with 33 points, shooting 6-for-6 from 3-point range.