The Denver Nuggets made quick work of the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, routing the visitors with a huge third quarter to win 129-104.
While the final score indicates a blowout, the game was close in the first half. In fact, the Hornets had the ball trailing just 50-45 in the final 100 seconds of the first half. However, the Nuggets closed the second period with the final seven points to lead by 12 at halftime, then blew the game open swiftly in the third quarter.
By the 8:45 mark of the third period, the Nuggets led 69-47, totaling a 19-2 run. In the third quarter alone, Denver won the period 38-22 and built the lead to 30 points early in the fourth quarter, leading to the Hornets emptying their bench ahead of Thursday’s game against the Lakers.
Terry Rozier led the Hornets with 24 points while LaMelo Ball had 14. Michael Porter Jr. had 28 points for Denver and Nikola Jokic notched a triple-double with 12 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.