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Nuggets open post-Shaw era with a win

J.J. Hickson and the Nuggets responded to head coach Brian Shaw’s firing with one of their most inspired games of the season. They beat the Bucks 106-95.

DENVER – Danilo Gallinari scored a season-high 26 points, Kenneth Faried had 14 points and 14 rebounds, and Denver beat the Milwaukee Bucks 106-95 on Tuesday night hours after Brian Shaw was fired as Nuggets head coach.

Guard Ty Lawson had 16 points and 10 assists for Denver, which ended a six-game losing streak and won at home for the first time since Jan. 14.

Shaw was fired after 1½ seasons with the team at 20-39. Assistant coach Melvin Hunt was named interim head coach.

Khris Middleton led Milwaukee with 20 points. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Bucks, who have lost five-of-six.

Denver led by six after three and started the fourth on an 11-2 run to go up 87-72. The Bucks scored six consecutive points but rookie Erick Green hit a 3-pointer and was fouled. He sank the free throw to make it 91-78 with 6 minutes 8 seconds left.

Milwaukee got within 95-89 on a 3-pointer by Antetokounmpo, but Gallinari responded with his fourth 3 at the other end.

Shaw went 56-85 for a .397 winning percentage. The Nuggets lost their last 10 games at home under Shaw, one shy of tying the franchise record set in 1997-98. The team has nosedived since the All-Star break, and attendance has suffered.

The timing of the dismissal was somewhat surprising given that just last week general manager Tim Connelly seemed to signal Shaw’s job was safe at least through the end of the season. It also happened hours before tip-off.

“We were hopeful we could dig ourselves out of the hole, play more respectful basketball,” Connelly explained. “Unfortunately, our struggles have been pretty immense and led to (Tuesday).”

The Nuggets responded to the firing with their most inspired half of basketball in a few weeks. They raced out to an early 11-point lead, saw Milwaukee rally to go ahead by seven but recovered to take a 55-51 lead at halftime.

Nuggets notes

F Darrell Arthur returned to action after missing two games with a right calf strain. ... C Jusuf Nurkic missed his third consecutive game with a sprained ankle. Nurkic’s ankle is discolored and badly swollen a week after suffering the injury. ... Rookie Joffrey Lauvergne didn’t play after getting into the last five games, including one start

Mar 3, 2015
Shaw doesn’t survive the last 6 weeks


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