NUGGETS LOSE SEASON FINALE
DENVER (AP) – Jordan Crawford scored a career-high 41 points and Harrison Barnes added 30 as a squad of Golden State backups beat the Denver Nuggets 116-112 Wednesday night. Crawford beat his previous career high of 39 points set against Miami on March, 30, 2011, when he was with Washington. He surpassed it with a runner that put the Warriors ahead for good at 110-108. Randy Foye, who led Denver with 32 points, raced downcourt in response but his finger-roll rimmed out and Golden State corralled the rebound.
AVS TAKE ON WILD TONIGHT IN STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
ENGLEWOOD (AP) – Patrick Roy finished his Hall of Fame goaltending career in heartbreaking fashion as the Colorado Avalanche lost to Minnesota on an overtime goal in Game 7 of the 2003 postseason. Perhaps only fitting then that Roy begins his first playoff series behind the bench against the Wild, with Game 1 on Thursday night at Pepsi Center. Roy says he’s not nervous for the series to begin, just “anxious to see the puck drop. When you’re well prepared, you’re not nervous, you’re anxious.” All season long, Roy’s preached an even-keel attitude to his team. The stage and stakes may be bigger, but he’s trying to keep their focus only on the next shift and nothing farther.
ROCKIES LOSE IN SAN DIEGO
SAN DIEGO (AP) – Andrew Cashner pitched into the eighth inning and Chris Denorfia drove in two runs to lift the San Diego Padres to a 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night. Cashner (2-1) wasn’t nearly as sharp as he was in his previous start when he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Detroit on Friday before settling for a one-hitter with a career-best 11 strikeouts. But the righty was resourceful as he consistently pitched his way out of trouble. Cashner gave up nine hits and allowed two runs – one earned – with five strikeouts in 7 1-3 innings. Huston Street pitched the ninth for his fifth save. Justin Morneau went 3 for 3 and drove in both Rockies runs with a solo homer and a sacrifice fly. Jorge De La Rosa (0-3) pitched a season-high six innings, allowing three runs – two earned – and seven hits.
