Just when it looked like the Denver Nuggets might finally build some momentum going into halftime, the Toronto Raptors drilled an extremely long three-point shot at the buzzer to take a 55-53 lead into halftime on Wednesday night. The Nuggets had just gone on a 13-3 run to take their first lead of the game, which was surprisingly short-lived.
After Al Harrington knocked down a driving basket with three seconds left to give the Nuggets a 53-52 lead, Linas Kleiza tossed up a 35-foot shot at the buzzer that miraculously went in to return the lead to Toronto at the halfway point. It was the seventh three-point shot of the game for Toronto, a major part of why the Raptors are leading.
Ty Lawson had a very good first half for the Nuggets, putting up ten points, eight assists and two steals while helping to keep the game close. Denver also got ten points from Arron Afflalo, plus Al Harrington scored seven points off the bench.
Andrea Bargnani was impressive in the first half for Toronto, scoring 16 points on 4-of-8 shooting while knocking down 8-of-10 shots from the free throw line. Jose Calderon was also extremely effective, knocking down all three of his shot attempts from long range en route to nine points in just 11 minutes.
For more on this matchup, check out the Raptors blog Raptors HQ and the Nuggets blogDenver Stiffs. Tune in to SB Nation's NBA news hub for more updates and commentary from around the league.