The Nuggets remained unbeaten on the
season as Chauncey Billups recorded his fourth 20-plus point game of the
season to lead Denver past Indiana, 111-93, at Conseco Fieldhouse.
Billups drained 5-of-7 from behind the arc for a 24-point effort.
Carmelo Anthony, who came into the game averaging a league-best 37.7 points
per game, recorded 25 points for the Nuggets, who are off to a 4-0 start for
the first time since winning their first six contests in 1985-86. The best
start in Nuggets history is when the 1976-77 team won its first eight games.
Nene chipped in 16 points and 13 boards, while Arron Afflalo ended with 15
points. Chris Andersen had 11 boards in the win.
"It's been a very good start for us," said Billups. "This was a big, big win
for us."
Dahntay Jones scored 20 points off the bench to pace the Pacers, who fell to
0-3 on the young season. Danny Granger donated 18 points and Roy Hibbert 14
with a career-high 12 boards in the setback. T.J. Ford had 13 points for
Indiana.
"We did not win the ball game," said Hibbert. "Personal stats have a very good
meaning when you win."
Leading by 12 early in the fourth frame, Nene and Billups hit a pair of free
throws each and Afflalo offered a pair of baskets to give the visitors a
93-73 advantage.
Anthony Carter's jumper later in the frame ballooned Denver's lead to 99-76 as
the Nuggets cruised to victory.
The Nuggets outscored the Pacers 30-13 in the first quarter, but the home team
managed to trim it to 55-39 at the break.
Two free throws apiece from Hibbert and Ford followed by a layup from Jones
brought the Pacers within 59-50 with 8 1/2 minutes left in the third.
The Nuggets got their lead back up to the mid-teens, but Indy trimmed it to
83-71 headed to the final 12 minutes.
Game Notes
It was the first double-double of Hibbert's career. Hibbert also rejected a
season-high four shots, as the Pacers blocked a season-best 10 shots and
recorded a season-high 12 steals...Pacers forward Troy Murphy bruised his
lower back and left the game when he fell on the court in the second quarter
and did not return...The Nuggets led by as many as 21 points in the first
half and 25 in the second half...The Nuggets commenced a six-game road
trip Tuesday and will also visit the Nets, Heat, Hawks, Bulls and Bucks
on the trek...Indiana hadn't opened a season with three consecutive
defeats since the 1996-97 campaign...The Nuggets and Pacers split a pair
of meetings last season, with each team winning on its home floor. Denver
has won nine of the last 11 matchups with Indiana, which is 10-5 in the past
15 games as the host in this series.
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