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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
DENVER (AP) -- After his spinning 30-footer fell through the net,
Nick Van Exel remained on the court in a display of
self-astonishment. By the time he entered the locker room, he
feigned self-denial.
Van Exel scored 18 of his season-high 37 points in the third
quarter, capping it with his improbable 3-pointer, as the Denver
Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers 95-83 Wednesday night.
Asked about his highlight-worthy shot, the usually loquacious
Van Exel said: "I don't know nothing about it. I couldn't tell you
one thing about it."
Television replays over the next few days might stimulate Van Exel's memory, while serving as a painful reminder for the Pacers,
who have lost seven of eight.
With Denver ahead 65-62, Van Exel pushed the ball up the right
side in the closing seconds of the third quarter, setting the stage
for a shot that ranks as one of the NBA's best this season.
Guarded by Travis Best, Van Exel jumped in the air with his back
to the basket and did a 180-degree spin as he released the ball. He
fell to the floor as the shot went in and added to the drama by
laying on the court in subdued celebration.
"When Van Exel started knocking down 3s, it was lights out for
us," Indiana coach Isiah Thomas said.
The Nuggets followed with a 15-6 run to open the fourth quarter,
and the Pacers never got closer than eight in the game's final five
minutes. Indiana's lead over the Boston Celtics dwindled to a
half-game in the fight for the final playoff spot in the East.
"It's tough because right now we should be a team that steps up
and elevates our game and try to solidify a playoff position,"
Pacers guard Jalen Rose said. "Instead, we are in a tailspin and
we are putting ourselves in a position for a dogfight for the
eighth position."
Raef LaFrentz had 22 points and 14 rebounds to help the Nuggets
end a six-year, 10-game losing streak to Indiana. The Pacers had
not lost to Denver since March 31, 1995.
Jermaine O'Neal led the Pacers with 22 points and 13 rebounds as
Indiana could not rebound from a triple-overtime defeat at Houston 24
hours earlier.
Despite their expected fatigue, the Pacers stayed close until
Van Exel changed the momentum in the third quarter.
Denver kept Indiana at bay with impressive outside shooting,
hitting nine of 13 3-pointers in the second half. Van Exel finished
7-for-10 from behind the arc.
"We hung around," Indiana guard Reggie Miller said. "They
made a run, especially in the fourth quarter. We got back into the
game and then they made some shots. Nick made some very tough
shots."
Van Exel picked up his offense as the Nuggets played without
All-Star forward Antonio McDyess for the fourth time in five games.
McDyess, who leads the team with 21.2 points and 12.3 rebounds a game, has been slowed by a partially dislocated left kneecap.
"When we found out that McDyess wasn't playing, everybody
realized that everybody had to step up and do their own special
things," said Van Exel, who has been bothered by tendinitis in his
left knee. "When I'm playing and somebody gets hurt, I don't
notice because I'm focused on the game."
Al Harrington finished with 18 points and Rose had 17 for the
Pacers, who got only nine points from their reserves.
Other than being competitive, there was little excitement in the
first half as the teams combined to go 30-for-80 from the field.
Denver scored the only field goal in the final three minutes and
led 40-39 at halftime.
Game notes
In addition to McDyess, the Nuggets played without backup
center Kevin Willis, who had the flu. ... Denver swingman George
McCloud returned after missing one game with a sprained right
ankle. ... Reggie Miller needs three 3-pointers for 2,000 in his
career. ... Indiana is 5-12 in the second of back-to-back games.
... After playing 54 minutes Tuesday night, O'Neal played 43
against Denver. ... Nuggets guard Voshon Lenard went 1-for-12 from the
field. ... Denver won consecutive games for the first time since
January.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Indiana Clubhouse
Denver Clubhouse
RECAPS
Washington 103
Detroit 96
Charlotte 100
Vancouver 95
Orlando 97
Cleveland 87
Miami 114
Sacramento 104
San Antonio 106
Minnesota 100
Philadelphia 85
Chicago 67
Denver 95
Indiana 83
Phoenix 84
Portland 79
Utah 102
Golden State 83
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