The Denver Nuggets played a fierce game during the final minutes of their game with the San Antonio Spurs, but emerged with the 115-112 victory after Manu Ginobili's three-point attempt fell short and into the hands of Wilson Chandler for the rebound.
The Nuggets entered the fourth quarter down three points and were down by as many as seven points with nine minutes left to play, but were only down by one with seven minutes and change left to play. Al Harrington and Raymond Felton, who returned from injury, combined for three three-points during the final minutes of play to preserve the Nuggets' lead.
The Nuggets' bench was a huge part of this win. Al Harrington led the team with 27 points (8-of-12, 5-of-6 from beyond the arc), and J.R. Smith and Raymond Felton each added 18 points off the bench. With Arron Afflalo out, Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler both started, the former adding 13 points and pulling down seven boards and the latter making six blocks (as many as the Spurs had as a team). Nene led the team with 10 rebounds. As a team, the Nuggets shot 50.6 percent from the field (57.1 from beyond the arc).
Minus Tim Duncan, the Spurs received plenty of support from their other players. Gary Neal led the team with 25 points and Antonio McDyess put up a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. Manu Ginobili put 20 points on the board. Unfortunately for the Spurs, it was not enough to keep the Nuggets from coming back from a deficit as large 14 points at one point.
The Nuggets (43-29, 29-7 home) will host the Washington Wizards on Friday night at 7:00 p.m.