NBA: Nuggets' three-point barrage downs Magic

ORLANDO -- Forwards Kenneth Faried scored 26 points and Wilson Chandler 21 in leading the Denver Nuggets to a 120-112 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night (Thursday, PHL time).
 

#Nuggets hold on to beat the Magic 120-112. DEN w/ 3 players with 20+ points. @TyLawson3 finishes with 17 & 12.

— Denver Nuggets (@denvernuggets) March 13, 2014

Reserve center J.J Hickson had 20 points and nine rebounds in just 22 minutes, giving the Nuggets (28-36) a big spark early in the fourth period.

 

The Magic (19-47) were led by guard Arron Afflalo, who had 24 points. Center Nikola Vucevic had 20 points and a game-high 16 rebounds. Guard Jameer Nelson had 19 points and nine assists.

 

It was the second time this season the Nuggets had a big night offensively against the Magic. They won 120-97 earlier this season in Denver.

 

The Magic never got closer than five points in the fourth quarter, closing to 110-105 when Nelson hit his fourth 3-point basket of the game. Denver reserve Aaron Brooks responded with his own 3-pointer in the next possession and the Nuggets were never challenged again.

 

The Nuggets scored 33 points in the third period when they hit five 3-point baskets, including one that became a four-point play for Chandler. The Magic got a spark from Nelson early in the third when he scored eight points in a three-minute stretch, giving them a 62-61 lead

 

The Nuggets, who made 10 of 22 3-point shots, led by 11 points going into the fourth period.

 

The Nuggets led 52-50 at intermission, closing the second period with a 25-10 run that was sparked by Lawson and Chandler.

 

Vucevic led everyone in the first half with 16 points and seven rebounds, but he did most of his work in the first quarter. The Magic led by as many as 13 points early in the second period.

 

The Nuggets tied the game at 48 when Chandler hit a 3-pointer. They led 51-50 when Lawson completed a 3-point play, then stole the inbounds pass in the final seconds to set up Faried, who made one of his two free throws.

 

In Monday's (Tuesday, PHL time) loss in Milwaukee, the Magic led by 18 points in the first half, but saw their early lead disappear. - Reuters