2004–05 Denver Nuggets season | |
---|---|
Head coach |
Jeff Bzdelik Michael Cooper George Karl |
Owner(s) | Stan Kroenke |
Arena | Pepsi Center |
Results | |
Record | 49–33 (.598) |
Place |
Division: 2nd (Northwest) Conference: 7th (Western) |
Playoff finish |
First Round (Eliminated 1-4) |
The 2004–05 NBA season was the 29th season for the Denver Nuggets in the National Basketball Association, and their 38th season as a franchise. During the offseason, the Nuggets acquired Kenyon Martin from the New Jersey Nets. Coming off their first playoff appearance in nine years, the Nuggets got off to a shaky start at 13–15. Head coach Jeff Bzdelik was fired and replaced with Michael Cooper as the team lost 10 of their next 14 games. Cooper was then replaced with George Karl, who then led the Nuggets with a 32–8 record for the remainder of the season, including a ten-game winning streak in April. The Nuggets finished second in the Northwest Division with a 49–33 record. Second-year star Carmelo Anthony led them with 20.8 points per game.
Entering the playoffs as the #7 seed in the Western Conference, the Nuggets won Game 1 over the 2nd-seeded San Antonio Spurs, but would lose the series in five games. The Spurs then defeated the Detroit Pistons in seven games in the NBA Finals, winning their third championship in franchise history.
(2) San Antonio Spurs vs. (7) Denver Nuggets
Last Playoffs meeting: 1995 Western Conference First Round (San Antonio won 3–0)