NEW ORLEANS — Teams recover from runs in the NBA — it happens throughout the course of many games. But when a 14-0 run happens in the fourth quarter, well, just ask the Nuggets what happens, if you can snap them out of their funk.
With Denver leading 70-68 on Wednesday at New Orleans Arena, the Nuggets missed seven straight shots and had a shot clock violation. When they finally stopped the run, New Orleans led 82-70 with 5:33 left, and the home team pulled away in a 94-81 victory.
The Nuggets got little help from their bench — just 13 points — and as a team shot just 44.6 percent. Yet they entered the fourth quarter down just 68-65.
The Nuggets did a stellar job slowing down Chris Paul, who couldn’t find his shot, finishing with 12 points on 3-for-12 shooting. But Paul, per usual, got his assists, 10, many to Peja Stojakovic. The guy was lights out. The old sharpshooter averages 13.6 points per game, but Wednesday, he scored 26, showcasing his stroke as though he were still with Sacramento. Stojakovic was efficient, too, making 10-of-14 shots.
The Hornets were without forward David West (back), an all-star last season, as well as center Tyson Chandler (foot) and guard Morris Peterson, who sprained his foot early in the second quarter.
