The morning after a 104-101 defeat to Golden State, Denver (13-15) has fired coach Jeff Bzdelik.

The Nuggest, losers of 6 straight, have promoted assistant Michael Cooper to the top spot on an interim basis. Cooper, a cog in the Lakers’ ’80’s dynasty and former coach of the WNBA’s L.A. Sparks (with whom he won two championships) might have a little more slack than Bzedlik. The latter was sacked despite having to make do without Carmelo Anthony for the past 5 games, as well as losing Voshon Lenard on opening night.