NBA Game Summary - LA Clippers at Denver

Denver, CO (Basketball News) - Corey Maggette scored 19 points and grabbed six rebounds to lead a balanced Clippers attack in a 100-86 win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of their Western Conference series at the Pepsi Center.

Shaun Livingston added 16 points, six rebounds and six assists for Los Angeles, which leads the best-of-seven first-round series 3-1. Vladimir Radmanovic had 14 points and Chris Kaman had 12 points, as seven Clippers scored in double figures.

Carmelo Anthony had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, who failed to follow up Game 3’s 94-87 win with another triumph and now face elimination in Game 5 on Monday in Los Angeles.

The Clippers led for virtually the entire contest, carrying a 24-21 lead into the second quarter. Then, ahead 31-30, Los Angeles went on a 11-2 run to take a 42-32 lead. Radmanovic drained a three-pointer with just over five minutes elapsed in the frame to cap the surge.

Later, Kaman’s bucket with just seconds remaining in the first half sent the Clippers into the break with a 56-45 cushion.

Kaman didn’t start the game as he needed an IV before the contest due to a virus. During the game, he was hit with a flagrant foul after pushing Reggie Evans to the floor with 8:45 remaining. However, replays showed that Evans intentionally tried to get a rise out of Kaman by using his hand as a means to check the center’s prostate.

In the third quarter, the Clippers kept the Nuggets at bay and scored 10 of the final 16 points of the frame to take a 78-64 advantage into the fourth.

Then, in the fourth, the Clippers scored the first 13 points and never looked back. Radmanovic started the surge with a three-pointer and Kaman ended it with a bucket with just over four minutes gone for a 91-68 advantage.

"Our bench did a great job," LA head coach Mike Dunleavy said. "We had balanced scoring and good ball movement. There was no area I wasn’t pleased with.

"We have to go home and close the series out."

Elton Brand, Sam Cassell and Cuttino Mobley rounded out the double-figure scorers with 11 points each. Brand completed a double-double with 10 rebounds.

"We haven’t accomplished anything," said Cassell. "The hardest game is the close out game."

LA ended a four-game road playoff losing streak.

Marcus Camby ended with 14 points and six boards and Andre Miller had 14 points and nine assists for the Nuggets.

"We are a tired frustrated team," said Camby. "We didn’t come out with the right mind set."

Denver played without forward Kenyon Martin, who continues to sit out with a team-imposed suspension for conduct detrimental to the team.