Nuggets pile on the Clippers

DENVER -- In the Clippers’ first game since they let Sam Cassell go, rookie Al Thornton tied a career high with 33 points, but it wasn’t enough in a 110-104 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at the Pepsi Center.

Denver’s Allen Iverson scored 38 points, including two big jump shots in the final two minutes, and Carmelo Anthony added 30 as the Nuggets sent the Clippers to their fourth consecutive defeat.

Iverson put the Nuggets ahead for good with an 18-foot, off-balance floater with 1 minute 23 seconds left. Anthony all but sealed the Nuggets’ victory with a layup and two free throws in the final 43 seconds.

The Clippers were down by as many as 13 points in the second half but momentarily took the lead on two free throws by Corey Maggette with 2:17 left.

However, Iverson worked his way free and hit a jump shot to tie the score, 104-104. On the next trip, he gave Denver a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

The win gave George Karl his 864th victory, tying him with Jack Ramsay for 10th place on the career coaching list.

Maggette finished with 28 points for the Clippers, and Thornton added 12 rebounds.

The Clippers waived Cassell on Thursday, opening the door for him to sign with a contender such as the Boston Celtics.

“He wanted to go to try and have a chance to win a championship someplace,” Coach Mike Dunleavy said.

Dunleavy said Cassell departed on good terms. He had missed the team’s last four games with a sprained right wrist.

The 15-year veteran was a charismatic figure in the locker room.

“He meant a lot to this team,” Maggette said. “He brought leadership, he brought us together. We understand. It’s a business.”

Tim Thomas even showed up at shootaround on Friday morning wearing a Cassell jersey.

“I miss him,” Thomas said.

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TONIGHT

vs. Detroit, 7:30, Ch. 5

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 710.

Records -- Clippers 19-37, Pistons 42-16.

Record vs. Pistons -- 0-1.

Update -- Remember when the Clippers were 4-0? The Pistons were more than obliging in handing the Clippers their first defeat of the season, soundly beating them, 103-79, in Detroit on Nov. 9. The Pistons have won 13 of their last 16 games, and this will be their first game in three days, a rarity for a team on the road.

--Jonathan Abrams