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Wednesday, Jan. 10 10:30pm ET
Parks breaks out in Clippers' win

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- When reserve center-forward Cherokee Parks was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 28, it didn't seem like a big deal. It is now.

Parks scored seven of his season-high 15 points in the fourth quarter, and Lamar Odom had 15 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three blocked shots as the Los Angeles Clippers held off the Denver Nuggets 92-86 on Wednesday night.

Parks who entered the game with a 3.8-point scoring average in nine games for the Clippers, had 13 points and six rebounds in a 118-95 victory over the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night.

He was even better against the Nuggets, making 7-of-9 shots -- mostly from long range -- and getting four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one blocked shot in 26 minutes.

"I didn't think Cherokee would hit as many outside jumpers as he did," Nuggets coach Dan Issel said. "That was certainly a key to the game."

The Nuggets had a five-game winning streak snapped -- their longest in a little over five years -- and lost for just the third time in 13 games.

"It felt real good," said Parks, traded to the Clippers by the Washington Wizards along with Obinna Ekezie, who was released right after the deal for Tyrone Nesby. "We've got a young, young team. I'm one of the serious vets, and I'm in my sixth year."

Parks has waited patiently for his chance.

"He didn't complain at all when he wasn't playing," said Eric Piatkowski, who scored eight of his 14 in the fourth quarter. "He's very high-energy, he does a lot of important things to help you. And he can shoot the ball."

The Clippers, who won for only the third time in nine games, went ahead for good by outscoring the Nuggets 29-6 to finish the second quarter for a 52-38 halftime lead. But they had some anxious moments down the stretch.

Nick Van Exel, who scored 12 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter, made a 3-pointer with 43.6 seconds remaining to make it 90-86. But those would be Denver's final points. Odom blocked a shot by Raef LaFrentz before Earl Boykins made two free throws with 11 seconds left to complete the scoring.

"It was a good game for us against a quality team that's playing very good basketball," Clippers coach Alvin Gentry said. "Hopefully we can build on this."

Antonio McDyess led the Nuggets with 29 points and 13 rebounds, reaching double figures in scoring and rebounding for the 10th straight game and 16th in the last 17 games.

"It's just bad to come in here and give it up," McDyess said. "The first half, we didn't give any effort at all. You can't look over the Clippers, they're a dangerous team. I just think we came in and took this team for granted. They're not the same Clipper team."

Quentin Richardson scored 14 points and Michael Olowokandi had 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Clippers.

The Nuggets scored the first four points of the fourth quarter, but a jumper by Parks and a 3-pointer by Piatkowski gave the Clippers a 74-62 lead with 10½ minutes to play.

McDyess then scored 10 points in the next 4½ minutes to spark a 12-5 run, drawing the Nuggets within five with just over six minutes remaining. But that was as close as Denver would get until the final minute.

The Clippers scored the final seven points of the third period to take a 69-58 lead.

Game notes
Denver's George McCloud, averaging nine points, missed his second straight game. Tending to a family matter in Miami, he's expected to be back Friday night against Sacramento. ... The Nuggets haven't won six in a row in almost 10 years. ... The Nuggets entered with a 20-15 record, putting them five games over .500 for the first time since the 1989-90 season. ... The Clippers beat the Nuggets for only the second time in 10 games. ... The Clippers, 13-24, won only 15 games last season. ... The Nuggets scored the first seven points of the first and third quarters. ... The Nuggets entered the game having allowed 99.9 points per game -- second-highest average in the NBA. ... Backup Clippers center Sean Rooks played only three minutes because of the flu.
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RECAPS
Boston 88
Miami 76

Seattle 104
Washington 101

Toronto 110
Detroit 85

Dallas 106
Minnesota 86

Portland 93
Philadelphia 75

LA Clippers 92
Denver 86

Sacramento 108
Cleveland 103


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