This past Friday, one of my favorite games this season took place between the Toronto Raptors and Denver Nuggets at the Air Canada Centre. Not only because they're my favorite teams, but it was one of the most intense games I've seen in a while, especially in the fourth quarter. Coming into this game, both teams were struggling, which resulted them putting up a fight for a much-needed win. The Raptors are eighth in the Eastern Conference, a victory would've put them in a better situation to qualify for the Playoffs. Meanwhile, the Nuggets were tied with Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz for the second place in the Western Conference, and they couldn't afford losing another game on the road.
Denver won the first quarter, 26-19, however, the Raptors responded in the second and third quarters, leading 81-72 before the beginning of the fourth quarter. With seven minutes left until the end of the game, the Raptors led by 10 points, 88-78. Things weren't going well for the Nuggets, they couldn't make any shot, but the Raptors didn't take advantage of that and continued committing turnovers. Within 2 minutes, the lead was cut to five. Denver tied the game at 92 after Carmelo Anthony scored four points in a row with a minute left. Nuggets Point Guard, Chauncey Billups, took a tough contest 3 point shot, and missed. Raptors' Andrea Bargnani rebounded the ball, and had an And-1 play after making a layup. He made the free throw to put the Raptors up by 3 points with 40 seconds left. Carmelo Anthony was fouled and went to the Free throw line, but he missed both free throws. However, Nuggets were able to get the offensive rebound, sending the ball to the corner as Billups hit a 3 point shot to tie the game once again. There was 15 seconds left of the game when Nene tried to steal the ball from Chris Bosh, and was called for a foul. Bosh missed the first, but made the second. Raptors were up by one point, but not for long.
Carmelo Anthony missed a jump shot with 6 seconds left, but Denver were able to rebound the ball, and pass it to Billups, who was double teamed. Billups passed it to Carmelo Anthony who hit the game winning shot right at the buzzer to steal a victory. That was Anthony's second game winner this season. Toronto Raptors are now 35-37, while Denver Nuggets are 48-26, as both teams continue fighting for a better spot in their conferences.
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