The Pacers faced a deficit of as many as 14 points, but a furious late fourth-quarter run couldn't lift them past the Denver Nuggets as they fell, 102-101, Monday night at the Pepsi Center.
Pacers vs. Nuggets final score: Denver hangs on at home, 102-101
The Nuggets were missing JaVale McGee but had plenty of presence inside to edge the Pacers in a narrow win at home.
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Andre Iguodala went to the line after Paul George fouled him with 0.4 seconds remaining in the game, and he made his first free throw before intentionally missing the second from the stripe to seal the victory for Denver.
Check out recaps from Denver Stiffs and Indy Cornrows
Danilo Gallinari led all scorers with 27 points for the Nuggets (28-18), adding three rebounds and three assists on 9-of-16 from the field and 3-of-6 from the three-point line.
The game was tightly contested throughout the evening, with both teams leading by at least nine points at one point. There were six lead changes and five ties.
The numbers tell just how close the game was throughout. The rebounding margin (43-41, Indiana) and turnover differential (Denver, +4) were close, but it was the transition game that allowed Denver to prevail in the end. The Nuggets had 21 fast-break points to the Pacers’ eight and dominated the paint by a margin of 50-36 with respect to points in the restricted area.
Both teams shot a mediocre percentage from the field. Indiana (26-19) shot 45.9 percent and Nuggets shot 47.4 percent. The difference turned out to be on close plays down the stretch that ultimately decided the outcome of the game.
Paul George led the Pacers with 23 points, adding 10 rebounds and five assists.
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