Indianapolis – The Nuggets were short-handed because of injuries and the Indiana Pacers were because of ejections.
In the end, the Nuggets beat the Pacers 102-95 on Friday night with the players and coaches who were left.
Denver starters Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby sat out with injuries, and Indiana coach Rick Carlisle and point guard Darrell Armstrong were ejected in the second half. The Pacers lost their third straight home game, largely because they lost their composure.
The normally calm Armstrong started arguing with official Eli Roe midway through the fourth quarter after Armstrong disagreed with a call. After Armstrong was given two technicals and thrown out, he followed Roe and continued to talk to him before being restrained by teammates.
Armstrong said the Pacers haven’t been treated fairly since the brawl between Pacers players and Pistons fans in November 2004.
“Referees are calling our games like we’re the brawl team from two years ago. We’re not. We’re the team that’s playing in 2006 and 2007, and it’s just sad because we get treated like that.”
Denver took advantage by outscoring the Pacers 20-4 from the line in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak.
“When things get a little out of hand, we’ve got to keep our mouths shut,” said Denver guard Linas Kleiza, who scored 15 points. “That team was out of control. We had to be quiet and just finish out the game.”
Indiana rallied briefly after Armstrong was ejected. A three-point play by Danny Granger, a 3-pointer by Troy Murphy and a 3-pointer by Granger cut Denver’s lead to 89-87 with 4:18 left. The Nuggets made 10 free throws in the final 4:06 to pull away.
In all, Denver shot 43 free throws to Indiana’s 13.
Carlisle was tossed by official Dan Crawford with 9:53 left in the third quarter after getting two technicals for arguing a no-call. Carlisle felt Denver’s Nene should have been called for a charge on a move to the hoop that left O’Neal on the ground.
“I told my guys I’ll fight for them,” he said. “I’ll get technicals, I’ll get tossed if it’s deserved.”
About the only normal thing about the game was Carmelo Anthony’s high-scoring night. He celebrated his late addition to the Western Conference all-star team as an injury replacement by scoring 34 points.
