Kenyon Martin helped beat his old team with a tip-in and blocked shot in the final half-minute, leading the Los Angeles Clippers past the Denver Nuggets 104-98 on Wednesday night.

Martin tipped in Chris Paul’s missed jumper with 27 seconds left and the game tied at 96, then blocked Ty Lawson at the other end with 20 seconds remaining. After a timeout, Paul made two free throws with 18.3 seconds left to make it a four-point game.

The Nuggets got back within two on Lawson’s free throws with 16 seconds remaining, but Mo Williams, who scored 19 points and came up huge in the fourth quarter, replied with two free throws and Paul, who led the Clippers with 21 points, capped the game with an uncontested dunk.

With their 13th win in 15 games, the Clippers moved into a first-place tie in the Pacific Division with the Los Angeles Lakers, who played at Golden State later Wednesday night.

Despite 24 points from Lawson, the Nuggets lost at home for the first time since March 19, and slipped into seventh place in the West, a half-game behind Dallas, which beat Houston 117-110 on Wednesday.

After Lawson’s 3-pointer put the Nuggets ahead 87-82 midway through the fourth quarter, the Clippers went on a 10-0 run with two 3s from Williams to take a five-point lead.

Williams’ most impressive 3-pointer came with the Clippers clinging to a 92-89 lead. Paul lost the handle on the ball with the shot clock winding down, Williams scooped it up and let loose an off-balance prayer that swished as the buzzer went off, giving the Clippers a six-point lead with 3 minutes left.

Kenneth Faried’s three-point play with 1:21 left pulled Denver to 96-94. After Paul missed a jumper, Andre’ Miller was fouled and made both free throws to tie it with just under a minute remaining.

Blake Griffin scored 12 points, eight shy of his average, for the Clippers. He was held in check for much of the first half by Faried but he broke free for three straight dunks, each more impressive than the last, in the closing minutes as the Clippers pulled to 53-47 at halftime.

His first two dunk attempts of the second half went awry, however. On the first, Faried appeared to have a clean block but was whistled for the foul and Griffin missed both free throws. On his next touch, Griffin skied for the hoop but the ball hit the back of the rim and bounced back almost to midcourt.

Still, the Clippers kept possession and Randy Foye made two free throws as the Clippers went on a 14-2 run to start the second half and take a 61-55 lead.

The game was tied at 76 after Denver closed the third quarter on a 17-9 run capped by Lawson’s basket after swiping DeAndre Jordan’s inbounds pass after a dunk by JaVale McGee.

The Nuggets got some bad news before the game when versatile forward Wilson Chandler learned his season was over. He needs surgery to repair a labral tear in his left hip.

Chandler arrived in Denver last February as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks. He played for Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout and rejoined the Nuggets a month ago, signing a five-year deal worth nearly $37 million.

The 24-year-old averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in eight games, including six starts, but spent more time on the sideline than on the court after hurting his hip. Chandler returned Monday night against Houston after missing eight games, but he retreated to the bench after logging just 7 minutes.

Notes: Chandler said he hoped to have surgery next week. … The Nuggets’ win at Houston on Monday night allowed the Clippers to clinch their first playoff berth since 2006. … Lawson was credited with a basket early in the fourth quarter when Jordan grabbed the net with one hand while going up for the block.

DENVER — Wilson Chandler’s season started late and is finishing early.

The Denver Nuggets’ versatile forward needs surgery to repair a labral tear in his left hip and is done for the season.

Chandler arrived in Denver last February as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks. He played for Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout and rejoined the Nuggets a month ago, signing a five-year deal worth nearly $37 million.

The 24-year-old averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in eight games, including six starts but spent more time on the sideline than on the court after hurting his hip.

Chandler returned to action Monday night against Houston after missing eight games, but he retreated to the bench after logging just seven minutes, saying his hip “tightened, it was really sore.”

“Me and the training staff just wanted to see if there was any way possible to finish the season out,” Chandler explained before the Nuggets’ game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night. “Sitting out is really not for me. It’s the last option. Nobody wants to sit out, especially when your team starting to do really good making a playoff push and moving up in the rankings. A lot of positive things going on, it’s tough to watch. I’m still happy for them, but I just want to be a part of that.”

Further discussions with team doctors over the last two days, however, determined Chandler needed surgery as soon as possible.

“I think Wilson is disappointed, I think he’s sad,” coach George Karl said. “He came back here hoping to give us a big boost and he didn’t get many games in. So, I think in general it’s a disappointment to him, as it is to us.”

Karl said it’s his understanding that the post-surgical rehabilitation for this type of injury takes four to five months.

The goal is for Chandler to have the operation as soon as possible so he’ll be healthy by the start of the 2012-13 season.

“Definitely. If I’m not playing for the rest of the season, I definitely don’t want to wait until after the season to have it,” Chandler said. “We’re probably looking at sometime next week.”

Kenyon Martin helped beat his old team with a tip-in and blocked shot in the final half-minute, leading the Los Angeles Clippers past the Denver Nuggets 104-98 on Wednesday night. Martin tipped in Chris Paul’s missed jumper with 27 seconds left and the game tied at 96, then blocked Ty Lawson at the other end with 20 seconds remaining. After a timeout, Paul made two free throws with 18.3 seconds left to make it a four-point game. The Nuggets got back within two on Lawson’s free throws with 16 seconds remaining, but Mo Williams, who scored 19 points and came up huge in the fourth quarter, replied with two free throws and Paul, who led the Clippers with 21 points, capped the game with an uncontested dunk. With their 13th win in 15 games, the Clippers moved into a first-place tie in the Pacific Division with the Los Angeles Lakers, who played at Golden State later Wednesday night. Despite 24 points from Lawson, the Nuggets lost at home for the first time since March 19, and slipped into seventh place in the West, a half-game behind Dallas, which beat Houston 117-110 on Wednesday. After Lawson’s 3-pointer put the Nuggets ahead 87-82 midway through the fourth quarter, the Clippers went on a 10-0 run with two 3s from Williams to take a five-point lead. Williams’ most impressive 3-pointer came with the Clippers clinging to a 92-89 lead. Paul lost the handle on the ball with the shot clock winding down, Williams scooped it up and let loose an off-balance prayer that swished as the buzzer went off, giving the Clippers a six-point lead with 3 minutes left. Kenneth Faried’s three-point play with 1:21 left pulled Denver to 96-94. After Paul missed a jumper, Andre’ Miller was fouled and made both free throws to tie it with just under a minute remaining. Blake Griffin scored 12 points, eight shy of his average, for the Clippers. He was held in check for much of the first half by Faried but he broke free for three straight dunks, each more impressive than the last, in the closing minutes as the Clippers pulled to 53-47 at halftime. His first two dunk attempts of the second half went awry, however. On the first, Faried appeared to have a clean block but was whistled for the foul and Griffin missed both free throws. On his next touch, Griffin skied for the hoop but the ball hit the back of the rim and bounced back almost to midcourt. Still, the Clippers kept possession and Randy Foye made two free throws as the Clippers went on a 14-2 run to start the second half and take a 61-55 lead. The game was tied at 76 after Denver closed the third quarter on a 17-9 run capped by Lawson’s basket after swiping DeAndre Jordan’s inbounds pass after a dunk by JaVale McGee. The Nuggets got some bad news before the game when versatile forward Wilson Chandler learned his season was over. He needs surgery to repair a labral tear in his left hip. Chandler arrived in Denver last February as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks. He played for Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout and rejoined the Nuggets a month ago, signing a five-year deal worth nearly $37 million. The 24-year-old averaged 9.4 points and 5.1 rebounds in eight games, including six starts, but spent more time on the sideline than on the court after hurting his hip. Chandler returned Monday night against Houston after missing eight games, but he retreated to the bench after logging just 7 minutes. Notes: Chandler said he hoped to have surgery next week. … The Nuggets’ win at Houston on Monday night allowed the Clippers to clinch their first playoff berth since 2006. … Lawson was credited with a basket early in the fourth quarter when Jordan grabbed the net with one hand while going up for the block.

DENVER — Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler needs surgery to repair a labral tear in his left hip and is done for the season.

Chandler played seven minutes Monday night against Houston after missing eight games with hip and groin injuries. But further discussions with team doctors determined he needs surgery as soon as possible.

Last month, Chandler agreed to a five-year deal with Denver worth nearly $37 million. He played overseas for Zhejiang Guangsha of the Chinese Basketball Association during the NBA lockout

The 24-year-old Chandler arrived in Denver last February as part of the blockbuster trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks.

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.

Read More: knicks schedule, nuggets schedule, Carmelo Anthony (F – NYK), New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets

The New York Knicks will not visit the Denver Nuggets in the 2011-12 season, reports Benjamin Hochman of the Denver Post. That means that Nuggets fans won’t get an opportunity to see their old All-Star Carmelo Anthony in his new blue and orange wardrobe and thank him for his years of service … or boo him lustily for the way he left the team.

Whether it’s accurate or not, there exists the belief that ‘Melo forced a trade to the Knicks by refusing to sign an extension with the Nuggets and indicating he wouldn’t sign a new deal with any number of teams with better packages than what New York could offer. Nonetheless, Denver came up aces in the ‘Melo trade, scoring Danilo Gallinari, the new focal point of George Karl’s offense, and restricted free agent Wilson Chandler, who is busy dominating the Chinese Basketball Association.

Because of the lockout-shortened schedule, teams will miss scheduled stops in a number of cities whose teams play in the opposite conference.