Emotions were slightly mixed for the Los Angeles Clippers a day after their first postseason victory in 13 years.

There was the good feeling that accompanies winning, of course. But there was also some discomfort that comes with blowing a 10-point lead in the last 4 minutes.

“I’m not happy with the way we played late in the game. The last quarter, we were terrible,” said Chris Kaman, who had 15 points and 13 rebounds in the Clippers’ 89-87 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

The Clippers were outscored 21-13 in the final period, shooting 3-of-10 and being outrebounded 14-5.

“We played them good, we had them going. We’ve got to keep the pressure on, punish them,” Kaman said after practice Sunday. “We didn’t do that. I think it was a little bit of jitters, maybe.”

Coach Mike Dunleavy wasn’t so sure about that.

“I didn’t think we were nervous,” the coach said. “Maybe he was. I thought he played great in the second half.”

Kaman said the Clippers might have panicked a bit down the stretch, which wouldn’t be a major surprise since he and four teammates who played were making their postseason debuts. The team is in the playoffs for the first time since 1997.

Veteran Sam Cassell believes the opposition deserved some credit.

“People don’t realize, Denver is a physical, good ballclub,” Cassell said. “There’s going to be playoff jitters — it’s how you come out of it. There’s some jitters out there. That’s why I’m on the court.”

The 36-year-old Cassell, a member of NBA championship teams with the Houston Rockets in 1994-95, entered the postseason having appeared in 103 playoff games. His teammates had played in a combined 96 postseason games.

“You can put it behind us,” Cuttino Mobley said of his team’s tough finish. “We have to clean up on offense. We have to get loose balls. They had 19 offensive rebounds. We have to sharpen that up. We will.

“The first game’s nothing. Be happy about the experience you just had. But you dwell on yesterday, you lose tomorrow.”

After the Nuggets scored 10 straight points to tie the game at 87, Vladimir Radmanovic made two free throws with 59.8 seconds left to complete the scoring. Denver’s Carmelo Anthony missed three shots after that, including one from the left corner as time expired.

Game 2 will be played Monday night at Staples Center before the best-of-seven, first-round series moves to Denver for the third and fourth games.

Radmanovic is questionable for Game 2 because of the sprained left wrist he sustained while picking up an offensive foul with 24 seconds left.

“He didn’t do anything today,” Dunleavy said.

The Nuggets shot 38.5 percent in the opener, making the Clippers 27-1 this season in games where they held the opposition under 40 percent.

Even though the Nuggets lost, they spoke of gaining confidence because of the way they finished the game. They trailed 76-60 at one stage before outscoring the Clippers 27-11 before Radmanovic’s game-winning free throws.

“We take the finish as a confidence-boost for us,” Anthony said. “I feel good about our chances the way we finished that game yesterday. I’m pretty sure we’re going to come out and play that way tomorrow.

“I think we did a wonderful job down the stretch. I take my hat off to us.”

Anthony discounted the Clippers’ playoff inexperience.

“Experience and inexperience is overrated,” he said. “It’s all about making plays.”

Nuggets coach George Karl also spoke of the positives he saw late in the game.

“I think we shook them a bit,” he said. “They get a win, hopefully we get some intangible wins. In the last 15 minutes of the game, you can’t play better defense than we played. We just didn’t shoot a good percentage. The one thing we didn’t do well is finish around the basket.”

The Nuggets lost despite committing only seven turnovers and attempting 91 shots to 68 for the Clippers. Los Angeles shot 6-of-16 from 3-point range to Denver’s 1-of-6.

“I think they know we’ll be around every game,” Denver’s Andre Miller said. “We’ve been in this position before. If we come out with a better tempo at the start of the game, we’ll have a better chance.”

Denver Nuggets F Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Month for March, the NBA announced today.

Anthony, who becomes the first Nugget to earn Player of the Month honors since Fat Lever in April of 1988, averaged 29.9 ppg on .549 shooting from the field as the Nuggets went 11-5 in March. He topped the 30-point mark 10 times, including three 35-plus point efforts (vs. Memphis, at Boston and at New York).

Anthony helped the Nuggets achieve their best seven-game road trip in franchise history (5-2) and hit his fourth game-winning shot this season, at Indiana on March 15.

Notable games for Anthony during March:

Mar. 6 vs. Memphis: Scored 35 points and added five rebounds, three blocks, two assists and two steals in a 115-101 victory over the Grizzlies.

Mar. 9 @ Philadelphia: Tallied 29 points, 10 boards, two assists and a steal, in a 97-93 win over the Sixers.

Mar. 13 @ New York: Recorded 35 points, five rebounds and one assist in a 108-96 win over the Knicks.

Mar. 15 @ Indiana: Scored 31 points, including the game-winning jump shot to down the Pacers 101-99.

Mar. 18 @ New Orleans/Oklahoma City: Had 28 points, seven assists, three rebounds and one block defeating the Hornets 109-94.

Mar. 22 vs. San Antonio: Posted 32 points on .565 (13-23) shooting from the field during the 104-92 win over the defending champion Spurs.

Additionally, Cleveland's LeBron James was named Eastern Conference Player of the Month for games played in March. James led the Cavaliers to their first playoff berth since the 1997-98 season after a win over the Dallas Mavericks, 107-94. Leading his team to a 10-4 record for the month, his 32.9 ppg was the highest scoring month in his career and a Cavaliers franchise record. Against Miami on March 12, James set his career and the NBA season-high with 24 free-throws made.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Month were Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki, Houston’s Yao Ming, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Elton Brand, Milwaukee’s Michael Redd, Miami’s Dwyane Wade, New Jersey’s Richard Jefferson, New Orleans/Oklahoma City’s Chris Paul and Sacramento’s Mike Bibby.

The scorching Denver Nuggets try to extend their season- high winning streak to eight games tonight when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at the Pepsi Center. The teams play the first of a home-and-home set this evening. The Clippers will host the Nuggets on Saturday at the Staples Center. This is the second meeting of the season between the clubs. On November 25th, Carmelo Anthony scored 35 points on 11-of-17 shooting to lead the Nuggets over the Clippers, 105-95, at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets have won three straight and four of the last five meetings in this series. The Clippers have lost two straight and three of their last four at Denver. Anthony poured in a game-high 26 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Nuggets slipped past the Portland Trail Blazers, 97-94, on Wednesday at the Rose Garden. Andre Miller and Kenyon Martin each chipped in 21 points in the win over Portland for the Nuggets, who have won nine of their last 10 games overall. Miller also dished out seven assists and Martin pulled down seven rebounds in the victory. On the injury front, Denver center Marcus Camby (finger) is probable for tonight's contest. He has missed 15 straight games and is averaging 16.3 points and a team-best 12.9 rebounds. Denver is 15-8 as the host this season. The Nuggets have won four in a row at the Pepsi Center. The Clippers enter tonight's contest on a three-game winning streak. Cuttino Mobley finished with 15 points, a career-high 13 rebounds and seven assists as the Clippers beat the New Jersey Nets, 90-77, on Wednesday at the Staples Center. Elton Brand netted 19, while guard Sam Cassell and center Chris Kaman each scored 17 points in the win over New Jersey for the Clippers, who have won six of their last eight games overall. Kaman also pulled down nine rebounds in the victory. LA is 8-9 as the visitor this season. It has won three of its last four away from home.

Maybe it's the way he shuffles through the locker room with the posture of an 80-year-old strolling through Central Park.

Maybe it's his crooked smile, hangdog look and occasionally cracking voice.

Or maybe it's simply his uncanny resemblance to the late comedian-actor Richard Pryor.

Whatever the reason, Denver Nuggets point guard Andre Miller has a way of keeping his teammates loose as they seek comic relief during the course of an 82-game stress test.

"He's a different cat, let me put it like that," Nuggets center Marcus Camby said. "I've never been around someone like him. He's just really different.

"He's a funny guy without trying to be funny. Just his demeanor, the way he walks, the way he talks. Everything about him is amusing - except for his game."

Indeed, Miller's on-court performance this season has been seriously impressive. Playing a team-leading 36.8 minutes, Miller is averaging 14.3 points, 8.4 assists and 4.9 rebounds while serving as the catalyst for a Nuggets team that has seized control of the Northwest Division.

"Andre is our motor," coach George Karl said. "I feel naked when he's not on the floor."

Miller prevented the Nuggets from getting caught with their shorts down Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers. He scored 17 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, repeatedly getting easy layups. When Miller was not blowing past guard Steve Blake, he was finding teammates for open shots.

Counting his three assists, Miller accounted for 24 of Denver's 26 points in the final quarter of a 97-94 victory. He would have had a hand in all 26 if Carmelo Anthony had converted a layup with about 6 minutes remaining. Anthony grabbed his own rebound for an easy putback.

"It was one of those special fourth quarters," Karl said. "Offensively, we rode a horse, and Miller was the horse."

Miller's late-game surge helped Denver extend its winning streak to seven games. The Nuggets will try to make it eight tonight, at home against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Miller has done nothing different during the win streak, averaging 14.3 points and 8.0 assists to mirror his numbers for the season.

"He's been probably our most consistent player all season," Camby said. "There's not a lot of rah-rah about his game. He just goes out there and goes about his business and he's solid every night."

Emphasis on every night.

Not only is Miller steering the Nuggets' ship, but he is proving to be a tireless rudder; the game tonight will be his 249th in a row.

One of the tricks to durability seems to be knowing when to conserve energy and when to step on the accelerator.

Miller can be agonizingly methodical, walking or jogging the ball up the court at times, but he is at his best when he pushes the pace and attacks the basket.

"When he's out there and he's passive, teams tend to overload on everyone else," Nuggets guard Earl Boykins said. "When he's aggressive, it makes it a lot easier for the rest of the guys on the team."

Miller certainly has made a conscious effort to push the ball in the 12 months he has spent under Karl. He has proved adept at making difficult assists look easy, throwing backdoor lobs and one-handed passes off the dribble.

"I think I'm getting guys involved, just passing the ball," he said. "I think I score when I need to."

One thing still missing from Miller's repertoire is the three-point shot. He is 2 of 15 this season and has attempted only one three-pointer in the past 16 games.

Karl talked with Miller last season about attempting one three-pointer a half and eventually would like to see Miller make 25 a season.

"That's something I always want to improve in, but my main thing is to get guys involved and make plays," Miller said. "When the shot is there, I'll take the shot."

He also is willing to provide the occasional verbal assist when things are not going well on the court.

"In games, sometimes cracking a few jokes will get myself going and other guys going, especially when it's kind of quiet and we're kind of sluggish," Miller said. "When you're a point guard on the court, there really isn't too much time for joking. You have to get guys on offense going and do a lot of talking on defense."

Despite his steady play for a first- place team, few are talking about his chances of landing a spot on the Western Conference All-Star team.

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers and Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns are the runaway leaders to start the All-Star Game on Feb. 19.

Only Nash has more assists than Miller this season, but Miller is not counting on a trip to Houston.

Asked if he considers himself an All-Star, Miller said: "I do, but that's the politics of basketball. I don't get caught up in all that."

Miller has learned a better approach: Just laugh it off.

The box score was top-heavy, but that’s what the Denver Nuggets envisioned 18 months ago.

When they acquired Kenyon Martin in the summer of 2004, they were looking for a running mate for Carmelo Anthony. The 1-2 punch was in its full glory against Toronto on Monday, with Anthony scoring a game-high 37 points and Martin adding 25 points and 12 rebounds in Denver’s 107-101 win.

“That’s what they’re supposed to do,” guard Andre Miller said. “Competitive players, scorers, rebounders — they’re a big part of why we play the way we play.”

Injuries have kept them from producing many games like the one against the Raptors. Martin struggled with tendinitis in his left knee last year. Even after offseason surgery, the knee has hampered him most of this year.

Not lately, though. In the past five games, Martin has looked stronger. He is averaging 18.2 points and 11.2 rebounds in that span — all Nuggets wins.

“Kenyon is getting more confidence in his offensive and defensive game,” said Denver head coach George Karl, whose team has won six in a row overall. “You’ve got to be encouraged to see his game improved the way it is.”

Martin not only played a big part in Denver beating the Raptors, he took another step in returning to 100 percent. A night after playing 32 minutes, 56 seconds in Denver’s 89-85 win in San Antonio, Martin played a game-high 40:09 against Toronto before fouling out with 19.1 seconds left and the game in hand.

“Man, I’m getting there,” he said when asked if he’s close to 100 percent.

Martin saved his biggest production for the fourth quarter, when the Nuggets started to pull away from the scrappy Raptors. Toronto is 14-28 and struggling but still managed to hang around. Denver held a slim 77-73 lead after three quarters, but heavy legs started to kick in for the Raptors, who were victims of Kobe Bryant’s 81-point game Sunday night.

The Nuggets (24-19) took advantage, stretching the lead to 93-81 on Martin’s 4-foot running jump hook with 5:20 left. They got the lead to as much as 15, and things looked sewn up when Anthony connected with Martin on an alley-oop layup that made it 100-88.

Toronto made it interesting, cutting the lead to 105-101 on Mike James’ 3-pointer, but Anthony and Martin were too much for the Raptors.

“They played well against Chicago,” said Miller, referring to Anthony and Martin’s play on Martin Luther King Day. “Kenyon’s being really aggressive.”

The Nuggets had more reason to be happy. Besides padding their lead in the Northwest Division, they won games on back-to-back nights for the first time in eight tries this year. Before Monday, they were 5-9 in back-to-back games.

“This is turning into a special month,” Karl said, referring to Denver’s 9-2 record in January. “I expect us to win a few more games in January to make it real special.”

It took until the end of January 2005 for the Nuggets to start jelling, but this year they got started early. Injuries stunted their growth in the first half of the season, but Denver is starting to put things together heading into the second half.

“We’re starting to know each other even better,” Martin said. “That’s a good sign for us as a team.”