Spurs Sweep in a Rough One at Denver

Sean Elliott made a driving layup with 33 seconds left Tuesday night as the San Antonio Spurs beat the Denver Nuggets, 99-95, to complete a three-game sweep in their first-round playoff series in a game marred by an ejection, five technical fouls and fan misbehavior.

Denver played the second half without Coach Bernie Bickerstaff, ejected just before halftime.

San Antonio, which withstood a furious fourth-quarter Denver comeback, advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs, where they will meet the winner of the Lakers-Seattle series. The Lakers lead, 2-1.

David Robinson and Avery Johnson scored 24 points each to lead the Spurs, who beat Denver for the seventh consecutive time this season. Elliott finished with 18 points.

Two players were ejected in Game 2 for rough play, and Game 3 was just as physical, with 63 fouls called.

With NBA Vice President of Operations Rod Thorn in attendance, fans threw objects onto the court when Bickerstaff was ejected. San Antonio Coach Bob Hill was hit in the head with debris but was not injured.

Bickerstaff’s ejection by referee Joe Crawford followed a technical foul on Denver forward Brian Williams with 1:32 left in the second quarter.

Ellis drew a fourth technical after Bickerstaff’s ejection and Elliott made four consecutive free throws--the last one with cups, paper and other objects falling at his feet.

Bryant Stith and Rodney Rogers scored 18 points each to lead the Nuggets, who failed to duplicate last year’s playoff upset of No. 1 seed Seattle.