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Postgame: Nuggets 134, Pelicans 131

Nuggets (37-40), Pelicans (33-45)

On Feb. 19, the two NBA All-Star teams combined to score a record 374 points on the Smoothie King Center hardwood. The Pelicans and Nuggets seemed intent on approaching that tally Tuesday, with both Western Conference squads racking up points in bunches and the defenses providing little resistance.

In a game that harkened back to Denver’s roots in the run-and-gun ABA, a total of 265 points were registered. Of greater import for the Nuggets, they posted a huge victory in their pursuit of the West’s final playoff berth. In doing so, they ended the Pelicans’ distant hopes of reaching the postseason. New Orleans was mathematically eliminated, with just a four-game road trip remaining on the schedule.

IT WAS OVER WHEN…

Denver’s Gary Harris sank one of two free throws to give the Nuggets a three-point lead with only three seconds left. New Orleans had no timeouts remaining, so the Pelicans had to rush the ball up the floor; they got off a pretty good look by Jrue Holiday from the left wing, but the attempt was a bit wide to the left and misfired. The Nuggets kept leaving the door open for the Pelicans by missing free throws late, including 1 of 2 trips by Wilson Chandler and Emmanuel Mudiay in the final 18 seconds (to go with Harris' 1/2). But Holiday committed two turnovers in between, then shouldered the blame in the postgame locker room for the defeat.

PELICANS PLAYER OF THE GAME

Anthony Davis compiled another immense individual performance vs. Denver, having scored at least 30 points in all three matchups with the Nuggets. After scoring 50 points in the season opener and 31 in last month’s trip to Colorado, the four-time All-Star poured in 41 points this time on 18/31 shooting from the field. Fellow Pelicans All-Star frontcourt performer DeMarcus Cousins also produced gaudy stats, rolling to 30 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

PELICANS UNSUNG CONTRIBUTOR

E’Twaun Moore provided numerous key baskets in the second half, leading the bench with 13 points. Jordan Crawford tacked on nine points in a rare outing where he didn’t reach double digits. He’s accomplished that feat in all but two of his Pelicans games.

QUOTES TO NOTE

“We knew it was going to be very difficult. You’re five games down with five to play. The chances of doing that (are small). To me, I would’ve liked to close out the home season with a win, because the fans have been very supportive, unbelievably supportive, with all we’ve gone through, with Jrue’s situation (to start the season) and then the trade and injuries.” – Alvin Gentry on his perspective about the loss in the home finale

“It’s basketball. Mistakes happen. To sit there and try to take the blame in a game that is full of mistakes… I appreciate him trying to take that blame, but that’s not the case.” – Cousins on Holiday accepting blame for committing two costly turnovers in the final minute, one a backcourt violation, another a bad pass that was picked off by Denver

“We were awful tonight (defensively). Absolutely awful. This was a pickup game tonight. We played their style of basketball and that’s the reason they won.” – Cousins on the high-scoring game and Denver being comfortable in it

“I would love to have Jrue back here for next season. Me convincing him, AD and everybody else in this locker room? It’s still on him. He’s got to make the best decision for him, his family, his career. I would love to have him back, but it’s what is best for him. At the end of the day this is a business, and I understand that.” – Cousins on the impending unrestricted free agency of Holiday, a frequent topic of questioning this week

“We’ve got to get back to playing defense. I’m not worried about those turnovers. I’m more worried about us not being able to lock in defensively.” – Solomon Hill on having consecutive home games of allowing 117 and 134 points to Chicago and Denver, respectively

BY THE NUMBERS

7: Nuggets players who scored at least 13 points. That meant everyone in a Denver uniform who logged at least 25 minutes of action.

51.0: New Orleans shooting percentage from the field, normally a rate that equals a win, but Denver shot 53.5 percent.

7: Pelicans turnovers, a very low number, especially for a game that had so many possessions. However, two of those miscues were critical.