DENVER — OK, so Lob City is taken. What about Mile Fly? Skyline Walkers? Lob Ciudad?

“We’re going to have a new Lob City here,” said Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson, who has Kenneth Faried and newcomer JaVale McGee to alley oop to. “It’s going to be fun — (McGee) is a young athletic big (man) who blocks shots and gets down the court. He plays the way we want to play.”

The trade of Nene was a strategic move on many fronts by Denver’s front office. Nene was not playing at his highest level this season, though he had just signed a huge contract. He continued to be plagued by injuries. His intensity was questioned. And he was under contract for four more seasons. So, Denver sent him to Washington and received a budding (but sometimes

head-butting) young center in McGee, who doesn’t cost much this season — and if Denver likes him enough to re-sign him long-term, he probably won’t cost as much as Nene did.

To continue reading this story go to DenverPost.com/Sports.

James Harden scored 18 off the bench for the Thunder, who bounced back from a loss to Houston at home Monday night.

Andre Miller had 17 to lead the Nuggets, who played the game while a trade sending Nene to Washington for JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf was finalized.

Denver signed Nene to a new five-year, $67 million contract in December. He was averaging 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in an injury-plagued season. But the recent play of rookie forward Kenneth Faried made Nene expendable.

The Nuggets, who are in the thick of the playoff chase again this season, are a team without a superstar. Instead, coach George Karl relies on his superior depth to wear teams down and McGee figures to help in that regard.

Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said the team plans to waive Turiaf.

Without Nene, the Nuggets didn’t have enough to stay with the Thunder in the second half Thursday.

Trailing by one, Durant asserted himself to start the third quarter. He scored nine points to help the Thunder surge past the cold-shooting Nuggets. His fast-break dunk with 4:08 left in the third gave Oklahoma City a 68-57 lead.

Harden followed with a dunk and Westbrook drained a 3-pointer to put the Thunder ahead 73-59 before Denver cut the deficit to eight late in the period.

A 3-pointer by Daequan Cook, his third of the game, made it 78-65 heading into the fourth.

Nick Collison scored all six of his points early in the final period and Harden hit a long 3-pointer to push the lead to 90-72 with 7:04 left.

The Thunder took a 14-point lead early in the second quarter.

Down 44-32 midway through the period, Denver rallied. Danilo Gallinari hit two 3-pointers to spur a 19-3 run that gave Denver a 51-47 lead late in the first half. Westbrook hit three free throws in the final 46 seconds to pull the Thunder to within 51-50 at the break.

DENVER (AP) — The Oklahoma City Thunder played like the top team in the Western Conference.

The Denver Nuggets looked like a team still searching for the right parts.

Kevin Durant scored 24 points, Russell Westbrook had 23 and Oklahoma City beat the short-handed Nuggets 103-90 on Thursday night.

Andre Miller had 17 to lead the Nuggets, who sent the talented yet often-injured Nene to Washington for JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf.

The deal was widely known before the game started but wasn’t finalized until the first half, leaving Denver without another big man to face the Thunder.

It also had an impact mentally.

“Anytime you trade a guy that’s been with me since I’ve been here, and we have a personal connection because of our situations with cancer, it’s very difficult,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “I hope to be friends with Nene for a long, long time after basketball.”

Denver signed Nene to a new five-year, $67 million contract in December. He was averaging 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in an injury-plagued season. But the recent play of rookie forward Kenneth Faried made Nene expendable.

The Nuggets, who are in the thick of the playoff chase again this season, are a team without a superstar. Instead, Karl relies on his superior depth to wear teams down and McGee figures to help in that regard.

Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said the team plans to waive Turiaf.

“We did (this trade) with the intention of the big picture. Make the team better,” Ujiri said. “We felt that the direction of the organization at this time was we wanted to go a little bit younger.”

Without Nene, the Nuggets didn’t have enough to stay with the Thunder in the second half Thursday.

Trailing by one, Durant asserted himself to start the third quarter. He scored nine points to help the Thunder surge past the cold-shooting Nuggets. His fast-break dunk with 4:08 left in the third gave Oklahoma City a 68-57 lead.

“We came out and did what we wanted,” Durant said. “We knew they were going to be playing with a heavy heart and we wanted to come out and take advantage.”

James Harden followed with a dunk and Westbrook drained a 3-pointer to put the Thunder ahead 73-59 before Denver cut the deficit to eight late in the period. Harden finished with 18 points.

A 3-pointer by Daequan Cook, his third of the game, made it 78-65 heading into the fourth.

“Early in the quarter, we took too many jumpers and didn’t make any of them,” Karl said. “Our offense was very inefficient and ineffective and they’re such a solid offense team I don’t think you can give them a bad quarter.”

Nick Collison scored all six of his points early in the final period and Harden hit a long 3-pointer to push the lead to 90-72 with 7:04 left.

“We moved the ball and moved it quickly and got the good hockey assist and we made the shots,” Durant said. “And once we make shots and once we defend with all your heart, it is a fun game.”

The Thunder took a 14-point lead early in the second quarter on the strength of hot shooting. Oklahoma City hit 57 percent of its shots in the first quarter.

Down 44-32 midway through the period, Denver rallied. Danilo Gallinari hit two 3-pointers to spur a 19-3 run that gave Denver a 51-47 lead late in the first half. Westbrook hit three free throws in the final 46 seconds to pull the Thunder to within 51-50 at the break.

Notes: Ujiri said the team hopes to sign restricted free agent Wilson Chandler to a contract in the next few days. Chandler, who was in the Nuggets’ postgame locker room, said he hopes to sign by Monday or Tuesday. … Thunder G Thabo Sefolosha returned to the lineup after missing 23 games with right foot injury. … Nuggets forward Al Harrington went to the locker room midway through the fourth quarter with a left knee contusion. The team said he is day-to-day.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Kevin Durant scored 24 points, Russell Westbrook had 23 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the short-handed Denver Nuggets 103-90 on Thursday night.

James Harden scored 18 off the bench for the Thunder, who bounced back from a loss to Houston at home Monday night.

Andre Miller had 17 to lead the Nuggets, who played the game while a trade sending Nene to Washington for JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf was finalized.

Denver signed Nene to a new five-year, $67 million contract in December. He was averaging 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in an injury-plagued season. But the recent play of rookie forward Kenneth Faried made Nene expendable.

The Nuggets, who are in the thick of the playoff chase again this season, are a team without a superstar. Instead, coach George Karl relies on his superior depth to wear teams down and McGee figures to help in that regard.

Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said the team plans to waive Turiaf.

Without Nene, the Nuggets didn’t have enough to stay with the Thunder in the second half Thursday.

Trailing by one, Durant asserted himself to start the third quarter. He scored nine points to help the Thunder surge past the cold-shooting Nuggets. His fast-break dunk with 4:08 left in the third gave Oklahoma City a 68-57 lead.

Harden followed with a dunk and Westbrook drained a 3-pointer to put the Thunder ahead 73-59 before Denver cut the deficit to eight late in the period.

A 3-pointer by Daequan Cook, his third of the game, made it 78-65 heading into the fourth.

Nick Collison scored all six of his points early in the final period and Harden hit a long 3-pointer to push the lead to 90-72 with 7:04 left.

The Thunder took a 14-point lead early in the second quarter on the strength of hot shooting. Oklahoma City hit 57 percent of its shots in the first quarter.

Down 44-32 midway through the period, Denver rallied. Danilo Gallinari hit two 3-pointers to spur a 19-3 run that gave Denver a 51-47 lead late in the first half. Westbrook hit three free throws in the final 46 seconds to pull the Thunder to within 51-50 at the break.

Notes: Ujiri said the team hopes to sign restricted free agent Wilson Chandler to a contract in the next few days. … Nuggets forward Al Harrington went to the locker room midway through the fourth quarter favoring his left leg. He did not return to the bench.

Kevin Durant scored 24 points, Russell Westbrook had 23 and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the short-handed Denver Nuggets 103-90 on Thursday night. James Harden scored 18 off the bench for the Thunder, who bounced back from a loss to Houston at home Monday night. Andre Miller had 17 to lead the Nuggets, who played the game while a trade sending Nene to Washington for JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf was finalized. Denver signed Nene to a new five-year, $67 million contract in December. He was averaging 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in an injury-plagued season. But the recent play of rookie forward Kenneth Faried made Nene expendable. The Nuggets, who are in the thick of the playoff chase again this season, are a team without a superstar. Instead, coach George Karl relies on his superior depth to wear teams down and McGee figures to help in that regard. Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said the team plans to waive Turiaf. Without Nene, the Nuggets didn’t have enough to stay with the Thunder in the second half Thursday. Trailing by one, Durant asserted himself to start the third quarter. He scored nine points to help the Thunder surge past the cold-shooting Nuggets. His fast-break dunk with 4:08 left in the third gave Oklahoma City a 68-57 lead. Harden followed with a dunk and Westbrook drained a 3-pointer to put the Thunder ahead 73-59 before Denver cut the deficit to eight late in the period. A 3-pointer by Daequan Cook, his third of the game, made it 78-65 heading into the fourth. Nick Collison scored all six of his points early in the final period and Harden hit a long 3-pointer to push the lead to 90-72 with 7:04 left. The Thunder took a 14-point lead early in the second quarter on the strength of hot shooting. Oklahoma City hit 57 percent of its shots in the first quarter. Down 44-32 midway through the period, Denver rallied. Danilo Gallinari hit two 3-pointers to spur a 19-3 run that gave Denver a 51-47 lead late in the first half. Westbrook hit three free throws in the final 46 seconds to pull the Thunder to within 51-50 at the break. Notes: Ujiri said the team hopes to sign restricted free agent Wilson Chandler to a contract in the next few days. … Nuggets forward Al Harrington went to the locker room midway through the fourth quarter favoring his left leg. He did not return to the bench.

 

DENVER (AP)

The Oklahoma City Thunder played like the top team in the Western Conference.

The Denver Nuggets looked like a team still searching for the right parts.

Kevin Durant scored 24 points, Russell Westbrook had 23 and Oklahoma City beat the short-handed Nuggets 103-90 on Thursday night.

Andre Miller had 17 to lead the Nuggets, who sent the talented yet often-injured Nene to Washington for JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf.

The deal was widely known before the game started but wasn’t finalized until the first half, leaving Denver without another big man to face the Thunder.

It also had an impact mentally.

”Anytime you trade a guy that’s been with me since I’ve been here, and we have a personal connection because of our situations with cancer, it’s very difficult,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. ”I hope to be friends with Nene for a long, long time after basketball.”

Denver signed Nene to a new five-year, $67 million contract in December. He was averaging 13.4 points and 7.4 rebounds in an injury-plagued season. But the recent play of rookie forward Kenneth Faried made Nene expendable.

The Nuggets, who are in the thick of the playoff chase again this season, are a team without a superstar. Instead, Karl relies on his superior depth to wear teams down and McGee figures to help in that regard.

Nuggets vice president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri said the team plans to waive Turiaf.

”We did (this trade) with the intention of the big picture. Make the team better,” Ujiri said. ”We felt that the direction of the organization at this time was we wanted to go a little bit younger.”

Without Nene, the Nuggets didn’t have enough to stay with the Thunder in the second half Thursday.

Trailing by one, Durant asserted himself to start the third quarter. He scored nine points to help the Thunder surge past the cold-shooting Nuggets. His fast-break dunk with 4:08 left in the third gave Oklahoma City a 68-57 lead.

”We came out and did what we wanted,” Durant said. ”We knew they were going to be playing with a heavy heart and we wanted to come out and take advantage.”

James Harden followed with a dunk and Westbrook drained a 3-pointer to put the Thunder ahead 73-59 before Denver cut the deficit to eight late in the period. Harden finished with 18 points.

A 3-pointer by Daequan Cook, his third of the game, made it 78-65 heading into the fourth.

”Early in the quarter, we took too many jumpers and didn’t make any of them,” Karl said. ”Our offense was very inefficient and ineffective and they’re such a solid offense team I don’t think you can give them a bad quarter.”

Nick Collison scored all six of his points early in the final period and Harden hit a long 3-pointer to push the lead to 90-72 with 7:04 left.

”We moved the ball and moved it quickly and got the good hockey assist and we made the shots,” Durant said. ”And once we make shots and once we defend with all your heart, it is a fun game.”

The Thunder took a 14-point lead early in the second quarter on the strength of hot shooting. Oklahoma City hit 57 percent of its shots in the first quarter.

Down 44-32 midway through the period, Denver rallied. Danilo Gallinari hit two 3-pointers to spur a 19-3 run that gave Denver a 51-47 lead late in the first half. Westbrook hit three free throws in the final 46 seconds to pull the Thunder to within 51-50 at the break.

Notes: Ujiri said the team hopes to sign restricted free agent Wilson Chandler to a contract in the next few days. Chandler, who was in the Nuggets’ postgame locker room, said he hopes to sign by Monday or Tuesday. … Thunder G Thabo Sefolosha returned to the lineup after missing 23 games with right foot injury. … Nuggets forward Al Harrington went to the locker room midway through the fourth quarter with a left knee contusion. The team said he is day-to-day.

Denver has traded forward Nene to Washington for JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf in a three-team deal that also sends Nick Young from Washington to the Clippers, according to two NBA sources.

Denver also gets a future second-round pick. Other players may be added to the deal, which came right before the NBA trade deadline on Thursday.

Nene signed a five-year deal worth up to $67 million with the Nuggets before this season. He joined the Nuggets in 2002 after being drafted in the first round by New York Knicks.

The 7-foot McGee, 24, is a third-year pro out of Nevada and is averaging 11.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocks in 27.4 minutes per game. He has played in 41 games.

Read the full story at DenverPost.com.

DENVER – Former Wolf Pack center JaVale McGee has been traded to the Denver Nuggets.

McGee was part of a three-team trade, with Nene, Brian Cook and a second round pick going back to Washington and Nick Young headed to the Clippers. Ronny Turiaf will also go to Denver in the deal.

McGee was averaging 11.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots per game this season in Washington. He’ll be a resticted free agent this summer, and is expected to get a multi-year deal worth around $8-$10 million per season.

While the Oklahoma City Thunder have a lot of teams that fans like to consider rivals, a true rival is someone within your own division. Therefore, while most Thunder fans look at the Dallas Mavericks as the biggest rival, based on the Oklahoma-Texas border war, it is the Denver Nuggets that remain the most important team for Oklahoma City to beat.

On Thursday night, March 15, the Thunder head to Denver to take on the Nuggets, who are desperately trying to keep pace in the Northwest Division with Oklahoma City. Heading into the game, the Thunder lead the division by 8.5 games over the second place Nuggets.

This is the second meeting between the teams. Oklahoma City won the first game at home on Feb, 19, 124-118, behind Kevin Durant’s career best 51 points. Russell Westbrook added 40 points, the first time two teammates both scored over 40 points in a game since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen did it in 1996. The same game, Serge Ibaka had the first triple-double of his career, with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 11 blocks.

The division rivals only play one more time this year, on the final day of the season, so this game is huge when determining a tie breaker if Oklahoma City collapses down the line.

Don’t expect that to happen, though. Durant is averaging 27.9 points-per-game, second best to only Kobe Bryant while Westbrook has 23.6 per game, good for fifth in the NBA. They combine for the league’s best scoring mark for teammates at 51.5 points-per-game.

Denver, on the other hand, are proving they are just fine since shipping off Carmelo Anthony last season. As a matter of fact, they might be doing better. Anthony’s head coach at the New York Knicks just quit on this team, which has a losing record and is in a freefall. Meanwhile, Denver sits at 24-19 with the sixth best record in the Western Conference.

The last time they played the Thunder, despite the loss and the Thunder achievements, the game went into overtime. If the Thunder, behind career best performances, needed overtime to beat the Nuggets at home, imagine how nervous they have to be heading into Denver with two losses in their last three games.

Denver, 6-2 since the All-Star break, is first in the league in scoring at 104.1 points, just ahead of Oklahoma City at 102.5 per game.

The Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets tip off at 8:00 p.m. CT.

Author Shawn S. Lealos has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma (2000) and is an avid sports fan that has lived in Oklahoma for over 40 years. He used to religiously follow the Dallas Mavericks until Oklahoma City found a team to call their own.

Source: NBA.COM

Read more: Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Nene, Nuggets Beat Hawks, Nuggets Win in OT, Ty Lawson, Pro, NBA

DENVER (AP) — Nene scored 22 points, Ty Lawson had 21 points and seven assists and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks 118-117 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Joe Johnson scored 34 points and Josh Smith had a season-high 33 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawks, who had a chance to win it at the buzzer.

Trailing by one with 3.5 seconds left, Atlanta got the ball to Zaza Pachulia at the foul line with. He drove the open lane before Danilo Gallinari rotated over, and Pachulia missed a layup off the glass as time expired.

Gallinari had 19 points in his best game since returning from a severely sprained left ankle.

Johnson took control in overtime after Smith fouled out, scoring seven straight points in overtime.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DENVER — Nene scored 22 points, Ty Lawson had 21 points and seven assists and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks 118-117 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Joe Johnson scored 34 points and Josh Smith had a season-high 33 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawks, who had a chance to win it at the buzzer.

Trailing by one with 3.5 seconds left, Atlanta got the ball to Zaza Pachulia at the foul line with. He drove the open lane before Danilo Gallinari rotated over, and Pachulia missed a layup off the glass as time expired.

Gallinari had 19 points in his best game since returning from a severely sprained left ankle.

Johnson took control in overtime after Smith fouled out, scoring seven straight points in overtime to give Atlanta a 117-112 lead. However, Denver came back and took a one-point lead on two free throws by Nene with 26 seconds left.

Without Smith in the game the Nuggets blanketed Johnson on the final play.

Before the game Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson tried to dispel trade rumors surrounding Smith, saying “the likelihood of us trading Josh at the trade deadline is as close to zero as you can get.”

Smith’s play wasn’t impacted by the rumors or Thursday’s trade deadline, especially in the fourth when he scored 15 points and put the Hawks ahead 104-102 with 29 seconds left.

Lawson drove the lane but his layup went off the side of the rim with 15 seconds left. An Atlanta turnover with 9 seconds left gave Denver another chance, and Gallinari made a 3-pointer as he fell out of bounds to give Denver a 105-104 lead with 3.9 seconds left.

Hinrich was fouled and hit 1 of 2 free throws with 1.1 seconds left to send it to overtime. Hinrich finished with 22 points.

Atlanta’s outside shooting kept the game close for most of the first half. The Johnson had 15 points and Smith scored 13 for the Hawks, who hit 8 of 14 from behind the 3-point line before intermission.

The Nuggets countered with a balanced scoring attack that had four players in double digits at the break.

Lawson led the way with 12, including two 3-pointers in the final 62 seconds of the first half to help the Nuggets extend the lead to 64-55.

NOTES: Smith’s career high is 38 set Nov. 17, 2007, vs. Milwaukee. … Hawks G Willie Green (back spasms/right hamstring) did not play and F Ivan Johnson was not with the team due to personal reasons. … Nuggets F Kosta Koufas was dressed but did not play. He has missed six games with a strained left knee.

There’s an old line about how to win in basketball — it’s not about Xs and Os as much as Jimmies and Joes. But not, it seems, Zazas.

The Atlanta staff drew up a beautiful Xs and Os play with 2.2 seconds left, but Zaza Pachulia missed an open layup in the final ticks of overtime, giving Denver a 118-117 win on Tuesday at Pepsi Center.

On the final play, Denver zeroed in on the Hawks star Joe Johnson. After a pick pushed Arron Afflalo out of the play, Al Harrington picked up Johnson. But with the ball being inbounded from under the basket, somehow Pachilua slipped into the lane untouched, until Danilo Gallinari spotted Pachulia.

“I don’t know why he was wide open,” said Gallinari, who forced Pachulia to readjust in midair. “So

at the last moment I just jumped at him because it was the only option I had.”

To continue reading this story go to DenverPost.com/Sports.

Nene scored 22 points, Ty Lawson had 21 points and seven assists and the Denver Nuggets rallied to beat the Atlanta Hawks 118-117 in overtime on Tuesday night. Joe Johnson scored 34 points and Josh Smith had a season-high 33 points and 13 rebounds for the Hawks, who had a chance to win it at the buzzer. Trailing by one with 3.5 seconds left, Atlanta got the ball to Zaza Pachulia at the foul line with. He drove the open lane before Danilo Gallinari rotated over, and Pachulia missed a layup off the glass as time expired. Gallinari had 19 points in his best game since returning from a severely sprained left ankle. Johnson took control in overtime after Smith fouled out, scoring seven straight points in overtime to give Atlanta a 117-112 lead. However, Denver came back and took a one-point lead on two free throws by Nene with 26 seconds left. Without Smith in the game the Nuggets blanketed Johnson on the final play. Before the game Hawks co-owner Bruce Levenson tried to dispel trade rumors surrounding Smith, saying “the likelihood of us trading Josh at the trade deadline is as close to zero as you can get.” Smith’s play wasn’t impacted by the rumors or Thursday’s trade deadline, especially in the fourth when he scored 15 points and put the Hawks ahead 104-102 with 29 seconds left. Lawson drove the lane but his layup went off the side of the rim with 15 seconds left. An Atlanta turnover with 9 seconds left gave Denver another chance, and Gallinari made a 3-pointer as he fell out of bounds to give Denver a 105-104 lead with 3.9 seconds left. Hinrich was fouled and hit 1 of 2 free throws with 1.1 seconds left to send it to overtime. Hinrich finished with 22 points. Atlanta’s outside shooting kept the game close for most of the first half. The Johnson had 15 points and Smith scored 13 for the Hawks, who hit 8 of 14 from behind the 3-point line before intermission. The Nuggets countered with a balanced scoring attack that had four players in double digits at the break. Lawson led the way with 12, including two 3-pointers in the final 62 seconds of the first half to help the Nuggets extend the lead to 64-55. NOTES: Smith’s career high is 38 set Nov. 17, 2007, vs. Milwaukee. … Hawks G Willie Green (back spasms/right hamstring) did not play and F Ivan Johnson was not with the team due to personal reasons. … Nuggets F Kosta Koufas was dressed but did not play. He has missed six games with a strained left knee.