The Denver Nuggets battled their way through another slow start and broke a 5-game losing streak with a win over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday night. Denver’s 113-109 win in Indianapolis came despite major injuries to core players slowing down the Nuggets’ high-octane attack. It was the first time Denver had scored more than 110 points since their winless streak began on February 3rd.
The energetic return of Corey Brewer propelled the Nuggets past the struggling Pacers. Brewer left the team last week to be with family following the passing of his father in Portland, TN. Without starting forward Danilo Gallinari and center Timofey Mozgov, the Nuggets were already stretched thin. Brewer provided regular injections of much-needed energy as a spot starter on Saturday night.
In fact, Corey may have earned himself regular starts at small forward until Gallinari returns. While his defensive and transition intensity was the key to this game, Brewer lit up the stat sheet with 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 key steals.
Perhaps better news for the Nuggets was the standout play of guards Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo. It was Afflalo hitting a late fourth quarter three and two clutch free throws in the final minute that locked up this win for Denver. Lawson paced the Nuggets offense with a game-high 27 points.
Denver has not attacked opposing defenses with the same vigor since a rash of injuries dropped them from 2nd best in the Western Conference all the way to 7th place. This crucial road win over the Pacers propelled the Nuggets ahead of the Lakers in the conference standings.
Afflalo’s 23 points on 8 of 11 shooting was particularly meaningful for Denver. The Nuggets just locked ‘AAA’ into a healthy new contract before the season began, and Arron had yet to prove his worth 27 games into the 2012 Season. Game 28 was revelatory for Afflalo, though, and Nuggets fans should be more excited about the return of this stout perimeter defensive play than his overdue offensive output.
The Nuggets will now get a rare two consecutive days off before hosting the Phoenix Suns in Denver on Tuesday night. Denver is a mediocre 7-7 at home this season, and will look to put together a positive streak against the subpar Suns.
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