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SPORTS Monday 9 deceMber 2019

Nets hold off

Nuggets 105-102 for

3rd straight victory

By MICHAEL SCOTTO points and 11 rebounds for
Associated Press Denver, and Murray scored
NEW YORK (AP) — Spencer 21 points. The Nuggets have
Dinwiddie saved the Brook- lost two straight. Dinwiddie
lyn Nets — again. made consecutive driving
Dinwiddie scored 24 points layups to give Brooklyn a
and the Nets held off the 103-102 lead with 26.3 sec-
Denver Nuggets 105-102 onds remaining. Denver’s
on Sunday for their third Will Barton missed a 16-foot
straight victory. off-balance floater, and
“As long as it’s working, Taurean Prince grabbed
you’re all going to love the rebound and was
me,” Dinwiddie said. “As fouled. Prince made both
soon as I miss, you’re all free throws to make it 105-
going to hate me and tell 102 with 6.8 seconds left.
me I’m selfish or something. “It’s like having an elite run-
We’re going to keep rolling ning back if you’re an NFl Brooklyn Nets guard Spencer Dinwiddie (8) puts up a shot against Denver Nuggets center Nikola
with it until that moment coach,” Nets coach Kenny Jokic (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in New
and I’ll deal with whatever Atkinson said about Din- York.
I’ve got to say then.” widdie. “You can just pitch Associated Press
Denver had a chance to it to him and he can go get
force overtime, but Jamal a bucket. ... When he gets at will in crunch time was Nuggets: Coach Michael for us, and that’s what you
Murray missed a 3-pointer speed downhill he’s basi- unacceptable. Malone praised Paul Mill- expect from a 14-year vet-
from the wing as time ex- cally unstoppable. Those “It was too easy for them,” sap. “He’s been the quiet eran.” Millsap had nine
pired. Jarrett Allen added were the two plays where Jokic said. “Second half unsung hero of our team,” points and four rebounds in
19 points and 11 rebounds he got a head of steam it was too easy for them. Malone said. “We’ve had 21 minutes.
for Brooklyn. Star guard and you can’t stop him.” We got to do something. I a lot of younger guys who Nets: Atkinson said Irving
Kyrie Irving missed his 12th Dinwiddie has scored 20 or don’t know what it is, but have been up and down, will increase his individual
straight game because of more points in 10 of his last (we) probably need to do inconsistent. If you looked on-court work and inte-
a right shoulder impinge- 12 games. For Jokic, Brook- something.” at our first 20 games, Paul grate him into practice in
ment. Nikola Jokic had 24 lyn’s ability to get to the rim TIP-INS has been Mr. consistency the next week or two.q

Hawks beat Hornets Miles Bridges and P.J.

Washington each had 20
Continued from Page 18 “I thought that was his best points to lead the Hornets.
game of the year,” Hawks Charlotte has lost three of
But it was Young who coach Lloyd Pierce said. four during a five-game
provided the daggers. “He had leadership on both homestand. “I just thought
He had 20 points in the side of the floor. He was we were going through
second half, including 14 in engaged. He was yelling the motions in the second
the decisive fourth quarter out their plays and barking half,” Washington said. “It
in which the Hawks blew to us. When you’re locked felt like we could have put
open a game in which they in on both side of the ball them away, but we just let
trailed at halftime. and leading your team, I them hang around, they
This was Young’s 10th just thought it was his best got on a run and started
30-point game of the game as a floor general.” making shots and they just
season, but only the second The 7-foot Len scored 11 Atlanta Hawks’ Vince Carter (15) aims his jumper over Charlotte put us away.”
time the Hawks have won points in the third quarter Hornets’ P.J. Washington (25) during the second half of an NBA TIP INS
when he’s reached that after being shut out in basketball game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019. The Hawks: DeAndre Hunter
scoring plateau. the first half. He played Hawks won 122-107. returned after missing
“I love it, whenever we win aggressive, scoring on a Associated Press a game because of a
that’s all that matters to 3 from the top of the key, dislocated right index
me,” Young said. “If I play a pick-and-roll dunk from lead entering the fourth a 19-8 run to start the fourth finger. He had 10 points
good and we win, I feel Carter and was strong on quarter. From there, Young quarter. Young was 5 of and five assists. ... Atlanta’s
great. Play good and we the offensive glass, helping took over as the Hawks 7 from the field in the final backups outscored
lose, I’m mad.” give the Hawks a five-point broke open the game with quarter with two 3-pointers. Charlotte’s 57-36.q