Indiana Pacers crush Denver Nuggets behind a huge third quarter
The Indiana Pacers posted their biggest win of the season as of late, when they crushed the Denver Nuggets, 144-113, behind a huge third-quarter explosion on Tuesday 9 November at the Conseco
Fieldhouse, in Indianapolis.
The Pacers exploded for 54 points in the third period, which was a new franchise record for points scored in a period, behind an outstanding 20-for-21 shooting from the field.
“That's a quarter of basketball that will be remembered for a long time,” said Indiana Pacers head coach Jim O’Brien on their 54-point quarter, which was also the fourth-highest scoring output
in a quarter in NBA history. “I think that third quarter was terrific after a very good first half. I'm just very proud of the effort.”
The Pacers could have finished the third quarter with a perfect 20-for-20 shooting, but forward Josh McRoberts missed a 26-footer with 1.9 seconds left in the period, which earned some good-natured
criticisms from his team-mates.
“I didn't know,” said McRoberts when asked if he was aware that they are still perfect from the floor before taking the shot. “I would have tried to pump-fake it a few more times, and maybe
pass it. It's a good record to s***w up, I guess.”
Mike Dunleavy led the Pacers attack with his 31 points, 24 of it coming in the third period, and the sweet-shooting guard-forward, who struggled in their first five games, was also not aware
of their almost-perfect third period.
“I didn't realize it until after the fact, or else I probably would have gone over there and stole the ball from McRoberts,” joked Dunleavy, who converted all of his five attempts from beyond-the-arc
in the third period. “But he had a nice game, so that made up for it.”
Darren Collison also had a big night, as the second-year guard scored 29 points and dished out six assists, while Tyler Hansbrough had a breakout game, as he finished the game with 20 points
and nine rebounds for the Pacers, who built a 37-point lead, 113-76, heading into the final period.
“The d**e broke, and the dam broke, and the flood hit us,” Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl said. “We know that happens three or four times a year. Hopefully we can get better and respond
against the Lakers on Thursday (11 November).”
Ty Lawson paced his team with his 19 points and Aaron Afflalo added 17 points, while Carmelo Anthony and Nene chipped in 13 points apiece for the Nuggets, who were outrebounded by the Pacers,
45-32, and only had 22 assists compared to the 37 dimes of Indiana.
“I think that was a key to us getting so hot,” O’Brien said. “We just never took a bad shot in the third quarter. We always saw the open guy.”
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