Nuggets Break Losing Streak; Whip Pacers 108-87

Nov 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) lays the ball in against Indiana Pacers guard Donald Sloan (15) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Nuggets came into Friday night’s game against the Pacers riding a 6 game losing streak and didn’t look good at all in their last 3 losses.  That would change on this night as the Nuggets came out with energy, effort and intensity and blew the Pacers out of their own gym 108-87.

The first quarter was a back and forth affair with the Nuggets coming out with a 30-27 lead and confidence that their shooting woes were not showing up in this game.  The turning point was the second quarter when the Nuggets found the tempo and shooting ability they have been searching for all year outscoring the undermanned Pacers 34-19 to take  an 18 point lead into halftime.  They would stretch the lead all the way to 32 points before calling off the dogs and cruised to the easy victory.

The Nuggets had balanced scoring as 7 players scored in double figures led by 17 from Arron Afflalo who bounced out of his season long slump going 7-11 from the field and notching 10 of his points in the decisive first half.  Ty Lawson was the motor that ran the ship as he scored 11 points and added 10 of the Nuggets 20 assists.  Danilo Gallinari had one of his best games of the young season going for 12 points which was matched by Kenneth Faried.  One highlight of the game was that Denver’s other first round pick from this past summer’s draft, Gary Harris, saw his first action of the season and had a great debut by scoring 13 points and doling out 2 assists.  He also had a rim rattling dunk that brought the Nuggets bench to their feet.  The Pacers were led by 14 points from AJ Price as the Pacer starters combined for only 40 points on the night.

This is a nice step forward for the Nuggets getting a win to stop the bleeding.  They travel to New York to take on Carmelo Anthoney and the dysfunctional Knicks on Sunday night at the Garden.  Hopefully the confidence and energy will carry over into Sunday night and the Nuggets can get a little winning streak going on this 3 game road trip.