The Nuggets kicked it old-school Monday, playing like it was 2008. In a track meet, Denver defeated Indiana 135-115 at the Pepsi Center.
The teams combined for 144 points in the first half, and while the Pacers stayed close through three quarters, the Nuggets put down the hammer in the fourth, outscoring their guests 38-23.
The Nuggets (24-12) finished with 38 assists and did so on 50 field goals made.
Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, already playing with a bruised right elbow, was hit hard on his shooting hand during the third quarter, injuring a finger. He continued to play through the pain, and he finished with 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists in just 24 minutes.
Before the game, Denver coach George Karl gushed about Pacers forward Danny Granger: “I think he’ll make the All-Star Game. We played (Kevin) Durant, who was difficult to cover, a couple nights ago and this kid looks like a mature Kevin Durant — bigger, stronger, and plays a lot like Durant, very good at the three and four.”
And three days after the Thunder’s Durant scored 33 on the Nuggets, Granger exploded for 36.
