NBA Game Summary - LA Clippers at Denver

Denver, CO (Basketball News) - Elton Brand dominated the inside of the lane with 33 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Los Angeles Clippers to a 105-87 triumph over the Denver Nuggets.

Brand connected on 14-of-21 shots and had three blocks, as the Clippers tied a season-high with their fourth consecutive victory. Sam Cassell added 25 points and Chris Kaman had 16 points and 13 rebounds for Los Angeles.

"I thought our guys came out and gave a good effort defensively tonight," Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy said. "These guys were playing great coming in and to hold them to 36 percent (shooting) is a good thing."

Marcus Camby made his return for Denver after missing 15 games with a fractured right pinkie, but he struggled by going 1-of-10 from the field for five points and 10 rebounds. Carmelo Anthony had 25 points to pace the Nuggets, who had their season-high seven-game winning streak broken.

"It was a bad offensive, bad defensive game tonight," Nuggets head coach George Karl said. "LA played a nice basketball game. They had confidence outside, they had confidence inside."

Denver will have a chance at revenge as the teams meet Saturday night at the Staples Center.

The Clippers used a 22-6 spurt to close the third quarter for an 80-66 advantage. Cassell started the run with a three-pointer and Cuttino Mobley’s tip-in finished it.

A three by Greg Buckner pulled Denver within 81-74, but a basket by Kaman, a three-pointer from Cassell and a turnaround jumper from Brand highlighted nine straight points by the Clippers.

Brand scored LA’s first 14 points. The Clippers led 31-26 after the opening quarter before Denver closed within 56-54 at the half.

"It was a great win," Brand said. "I tried to set a tone early and my teammates put me in a great position to score."