INDIANAPOLIS — The Denver Nuggets rolled into town with the second best record in the Western Conference and walked out of the joint with another win on the road 124-116. After erasing a 14-point first half deficit they regained their composure on the strength of rookie Michael Porter Jr.
Ole boy came off of the bench to put up 25 points in his hometown debut at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana had no answer for him as he did whatever he wanted to do.
The Pacers seemed to be in control until another Indiana native, Gary Harris, knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Nuggets up 73-72 with 9:13 left in the third quarter. It was Chris Brown “On and Poppin'” for the Nuggets at that point.
Denver’s Nikola Jokic got into foul trouble so the young rookie, Porter Jr., held them down. Don’t get it twisted, Jokic did work down the stretch scoring 12 of his 22 points in the fourth quarter.
Indiana played an outstanding offensive first half putting up 64 points shooting 60 percent from there field and 58 percent from behind the arc. They had 17 of their 32 assists in the first half alone. That’s NUTS!!!
Jeremy Lamb scored 18 of his season high 30 points in the first half as well. Myles Turner dropped off 21 points as TJ Warren put up 20 points with 14 of those coming in the first half. Domantas Sabonis finished the night with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists.
Nate McMillan normally gets big contributions from his bench but Thursday night wasn’t that night. They only got 21 points from their bench while Denver’s bench dropped off 46 points. The Michael Porter Jr. contribution was the difference maker.
Up next the Pacers go to Atlanta on Saturday.
