SAN FRANCISCO --Veteran Andre Miller rescued his team from the clutches of an upset and sank a tight lay-up with 1.2 seconds left as the Denver Nuggets held off the Golden State Warriors, 97-95, early Saturday night at the Pepsi Center.
The 37-year old Miller, a 13-year pro, made 11 of 16 field goals for 28 points, giving the No.3 seeded Denver a 1-0 lead in its best-of-7 showdown against the sixth-ranked Golden State. Game 2 is Tuesday night also at the Pepsi Center.
It was a close game all around with both teams leading by as many as nine points. But the Nuggets, who shot 44.7 percent from the field, fared a little better in the crucial stretch, holding off the charging Warriors who tied the count at 95-95 after Stephen Curry converted a tough 3 with 14.5 seconds to go.
Four other Nuggets finished in double figures with point guard Ty Lawson tallying 12 and four assists. Wilson Chandler and Evan Fournier had 11 each with Wilson adding 13 rebounds. Corey Brewer chipped in 10.
The Warriors set themselves up for a Game 1 steal by winning the rebounds (55-45) and assists (27-16) battle. But they made only 38 of 92 shots and they weren't as deadly from three-point territory, 8-for-22. Klay Thompson led Golden State with 22 and Curry had 19. All-Star David Lee left with a hip injury but still managed 10 points and 14 rebounds. (JSM)
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