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Kentucky Colonels Win Over DenverBy MIKE CLARK AP Sports WriterLOUISVILLE (AP) - Bird Averitt’s tonsils, believe it or not, may be the key factor when Kentucky and Denver collide Wednesday night in the seventh game of what has been a thrilling American Basketball Association playoff series.With tonsilitis and a high temperature slowing him to a walk last week, Averitt was ineffective as Denver won two straight and jumped into a 3-2 lead.But Averitt, although still under the weather, was sufficiently recovered Sunday to score 34 points as Kentucky edged Denver 119-115 in doubleovertime to square the series at3-3.The winner of Wednesday’s final will meet New York in the best-of seven championship series. New York earned its berth by defeating San Antonio 121-114 Saturday to win that semifinal series 4-3.“I though Bird rose to the occasion,” said Kentucky Coach Hubie Brown. ‘‘He beat his man on the power game and made several difficult shots.“Listen, the guy went out and gave it all he had. What more can you ask?,” Brown added.“My throat is still sore, but it’s better,” said Averitt, whose three quick baskets in the second overtime finally turned the issue in Kentucky’s favor.The victory by defending ABA champion Kentucky kept alive Colonel hopes of a repeat championship. And it also meant that Denver was one loss away from another bitter playoff disappointment.Denver won the ABA’s Western Division title in 1975 with the best record of any ABA club. But the Nuggets fell to Indiana in the playoff semifinals.Denver walked away from the rest of the league this year, posting, a 60-24 record to outdistance second-place New York by five games. Kentucky was left 14 games in arrears in fourth place.Nets forward Rich Jones turned in an inspiring clutch performance that shot down San Antonio and sent the Nets into the championship final.Jones scored 25 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to back Julius Erving's 28 points and 18 rebounds and John Williamson’s 26 points.
Newspaper Details
Corbin Times Tribune
Corbin, Kentucky, US
Mon, Apr 26, 1976
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Robert G.
USA 27 Mar 2025
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