NBA Game Summary - Washington at Denver 03.22.2005
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Denver, CO (Basketball News) - DerMarr Johnson scored 20 points and Eduardo Najera added 16 points to lead the Denver Nuggets over the Washington Wizards, 127-98, at the Pepsi Center.
Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin added 14 points apiece for the Nuggets, who had six players score in double figures. Earl Boykins had 11 points and nine assists and Andre Miller had 10 points and seven assists, as Denver has won four straight and 12 of 13 to remain in the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoff race.
Gilbert Arenas had 25 points to lead Washington, which has lost two of three. Jared Jeffries added 15 points for the Wizards, who have dropped 10 of 12 on the road.
The Nuggets led 28-25 after one quarter and extended to a 58-47 cushion at halftime. A 12-0 run by Denver during the second turned a 42-40 deficit into a 52-42 cushion with just over two minutes remaining until the break.
In the third, leading 60-50, the Nuggets went on a 9-2 run to increase their cushion to 17 points. Five different Denver players scored during the balanced burst, with Johnson’s two free throws with 7:35 remaining ending it.
Later, an Anthony three-pointer and Najera jumper gave Denver a 19-point lead, 74-55, with 5:56 on the clock. The Nuggets then cruised into the fourth with a 92-76 advantage.
Denver opened the final frame with six straight points as the lead ballooned to 22-points and the Nuggets cruised to the finish.
Larry Hughes and Etan Thomas had 12 points each for the Wizards, who have dropped five straight to the Nuggets.