Carroll Turns Back Clippers : Pro basketball: Denver center has key block in 119-112 victory.

Center Joe Barry Carroll’s block of Ken Norman’s baseline shot turned back the Clippers and enabled the Denver Nuggets to pull away for a 119-112 victory Tuesday night.

The Clippers led, 103-98, with 5:56 to play, but Alex English, who scored 28 points, put Denver ahead to stay with 2:25 remaining.

English then passed to an open Walter Davis, who made an 18-footer and added a free throw.

Still, the Clippers came back, getting two free throws from Danning Manning, who brought them within 112-110 with 1:38 left.

Then Carroll had his block, giving Denver possession. Michael Adams, who had four three-point baskets, scored to make it 114-110 with 43 seconds remaining.

English had six points and two key assists in the final quarter, and Davis added four of his 24 points in the closing minutes. Adams, who made four of nine three-point shots, also had 24 points.

The Nuggets’ Fat Lever had a triple double with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.

Carroll had 16 points and five blocked shots in addition to 10 rebounds.

“We had our hands full with this team,” Carroll said. “They are a talented bunch and their record doesn’t represent the caliber of team they are. The blocked shot was in desperation after I missed the hook shot at the other end. Norman beat his man and didn’t know I was around. Sometimes things are crazy out there.”

Clipper Coach Don Casey said: “At the end, we stayed with what got us there, but couldn’t get the shots. Denver is a tough team for us to defend because they keep running big guys at you.”

Said Manning, who had 25 points: “We gave up a couple of easy baskets at the end of the game. They took us out of our game after we led 98-90, and we can’t do that at any time, let alone in the clutch.”

Backup forward Joe Wolf made seven of nine shots and scored 17 points in 23 minutes. The Clippers, after playing Utah at Salt Lake City tonight, face the Lakers at the Forum Friday night.