Kleiza breaks out of "big-time slump''

Linas Kleiza’s slump was starting to look like the U.S. economy.

Over his previous seven games, the Nuggets forward had shot just 11-of-44 (25 percent) while averaging 3.7 points. Over his previous 10 games, Kleiza had shot 1-of-15 from three-point range, and the only one he made was a desperation one-handed bank shot at the halftime buzzer last Monday at Phoenix.

But Kleiza didn’t look for a bailout. He might be Lithuanian, but he relied on what looked like good old American elbow grease to try to get his game back.

“I always put the work in,’’ Kleiza said. “I worked my butt off. If you do that, it’s going to pay off eventually.’’

It finally did Saturday. Kleiza broke out of his horrendous slump by shooting 9-of-14 for 22 points in Denver’s 129-116 win over Golden State at the Pepsi Center.

Kleiza did shoot just 1-of-4 from three-point range, making his slump 2-of-19. But he got the rest of his game going by taking the ball to the basket, especially in the second quarter, when he scored 13 points.

“I think regrouping his confidence is good,’’ said coach George Karl, whose Nuggets got a game-high 31 points from forward Carmelo Anthony. “There’s always room for L.K. He’s just been in a big-time slump. I would like it if he had made some threes, but he seemed to get his layup rhythm. He seemed to get a lot of easy baskets. I think there will be a role for L.K. in any playoff series.’’

The way his slump was going, perhaps there were some doubting that. At Dallas on Friday, after Kleiza shot just 1-of-4 in seven first-half minutes, he didn’t even play in the second half.

Those on the Nuggets have been encouraging Kleiza, who is averaging 9.7 points and shooting 44.2 percent. That’s down from last season’s 11.1 average and 47.2-percent shooting.

“It was good to see him going back and hitting some shots,’’ said Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups. “I’m proud and happy for him.’’

Nobody was more happy after the game than Kleiza.

“I feel great,’’ he said. “Hopefully, the worst is behind me.’’

Many are hoping the same is true with the U.S. economy.

BEST OF BIRDMAN _ For the past five games, it’s been the greatest hits of Chris Andersen.

The Nuggets reserve center has averaged 11.2 points and 8.6 rebounds in that stretch. The Birdman said it’s just a matter of getting healthy.

“Because I’m starting to heal,’’ said Andersen, who said it took him a while to overcome Oklahoma City’s Robert Swift landing March 11 on his foot, resulting in a strained right calf. “So I was limited. I wasn’t able to get to the basket as much (or) jump as high… So now I’m trying to get back ’’

Andersen, who totaled 10 points and 11 rebounds in 20 minutes Saturday, credited Denver’s training staff for getting him back in good shape. He’s sure looking good on the court.

Chris Tomasson at christomasson@hotmail.com