Nuggets Stop Jazz, Move Closer to Historic Comeback : NBA playoffs: Mutombo and Stith’s free throws complete rally in 94-91 series-tying victory.

The Denver Nuggets keep making history, and they do it in the oddest ways.

Such as getting two winning free throws from Dikembe Mutombo, among the team’s worst foul shooters during the regular season.

Such as overcoming two missed free throws by Robert Pack, which allowed Utah to attempt a game-tying three-pointer that barely missed in the Nuggets’ 94-91 victory Thursday night that evened their series with the Jazz at 3-3.

Mutombo, who had 23 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots, and Bryant Stith each sank two free throws in the final 30 seconds, helping Denver become only the second team in NBA history to come back from a 3-0 deficit and force a seventh game.

Utah guard Jeff Hornacek missed a wide-open three-pointer at the buzzer.

The only other team to tie a series 3-3 after trailing 3-0 was the 1951 New York Knicks, who eventually lost Game 7 of that series to the Rochester Royals.

“We’ve already made history once,” said Stith, referring to their comeback from 0-2 against Seattle. “There’s no pressure on us at all.”

Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday in Salt Lake City, where the Nuggets will be bidding to become the first team in NBA history to win a playoff series after falling behind 3-0.

Jazz Coach Jerry Sloan urged restraint.

“There is no panic,” he said. “We still have all our arms and all our legs. It’s just basketball, no need for all the craziness. We’ve still got the home-court advantage.”

Sloan said the Nuggets “hit tough shots and that’s what turned the flow.”

The Jazz controlled the game for the first three quarters and led, 74-67, entering the final quarter.

Karl Malone led Utah with 31 points and 15 rebounds.