NBA Roundup : Nuggets Streak to Their 14th Win in 15 Games

With the Lakers faltering and the Boston Celtics not all that great, maybe it’s time for the Denver Nuggets to bid for their first National Basketball Assn. championship.

For sure, Doug Moe’s underrated team is reaching a peak at the right time.

The Nuggets, who beat the Lakers three of five this season, have the second-best record in the West and a firm grip on first place in the Midwest Division.

In the showdown battle with the Dallas Mavericks Sunday at Denver, 6-3 guard Lafayette Lever had his 11th triple-double of the season and led the Nuggets to a 133-122 victory.

Lever had 25 points, 19 rebounds and 13 assists, and the Nuggets posted their 14th win in 15 games. In mid-March, Dallas led the division by 5 1/2 games and seemed a shoo-in. But the Nuggets, with three games left, including one with the Clippers, lead by 1 1/2 games.

“What more can you say about Fat?” asked Moe, who has done another terrific coaching job. “It’s hard to elevate your game when you’re at your absolute pinnacle, but that’s what he’s been doing. He’s an incredibly intense competitor. He plays to the absolute utmost of his ability night after night.”

The 52nd victory tied the Denver club record. The Mavericks, who have lost eight of their last nine road games, are 50-28. The Mavericks play San Antonio twice, at Houston and home against the Lakers.

Alex English had 31 points for the Nuggets, and Jay Vincent had 20 in the second half.

Washington 98, Boston 92--The Celtics blew a chance to close in on the Lakers for the best overall record, and the Bullets moved closer to a playoff spot.

The Celtics led, 92-91, with 1:55 left at Landover, Md. But Jeff Malone made a baseline jumper, Darrell Walker stole Robert Parrish’s inbounds pass and went in for a layup and the Celtics never scored again.

The unexpected victory put the Bullets (37-42) into a tie with New York for the last two playoff spots in the East.

Unless Indiana pulls a surprise at Cleveland tonight, it is likely the Knicks and Bullets will join the Cavaliers in the playoffs.

Chicago 105, Milwaukee 97--Another team peaking just before the playoffs is the Bulls.

With Michael Jordan scoring 15 of his 44 points in the fourth quarter at Chicago, the Bulls won their 5th in a row and 11th of their last 13.

The Bulls pulled into a tie with Atlanta for the third-best record in the East. The Bucks have lost 4 in a row and 9 of 11.

The Bulls will get an idea of their playoff chances in two games with the Celtics in this last week of the regular season.

Portland 112, Sacramento 102--Another team playing outstanding ball down the stretch is the Trail Blazers. With Clyde Drexler scoring 27 points at Portland, the Blazers won their third in a row.

The Trail Blazers, with a 50-28 record, have pulled even with Dallas for the third-best record in the West.