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Denver Nuggets 118, Houston Rockets 110--end of regulation

The Denver Nuggets tried to give this one away, but the Houston Rockets just didn't want it bad enough.

Led by Danilo Gallinari's 27 points, the Nuggets slowed the Rockets down enough to get the 118-110 win.

The Rockets led for the majority of the first half, with James Harden getting to the line eight times in the first half--which was more than the entire Nuggets team in the first half.

In the second half though, specifically the end of the third and start of the fourth quarter the Nuggets were nearly unstoppable.

At one point the Nuggets extended their dominance to a 19-to-1 run, before the Rockets cut into the lead.

The Nuggets led with a balanced attack from their key starters, with Kenneth Faried, Andre Iguodala and Gallinari combining for 60 points.

In a battle between two teams that love to run in transition, the Nuggets proved to be the better fastbreak team. The Rockets appeared to get tired late into quarters, whereas the Nuggets just got stronger and stronger.

Every Rockets' starter was in double digits, with the five starters combining for 84 of their 110 points. It wasn't enough though, as the Nuggets simply outscored the Rockets and overpowered them with their blazing transition offense

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The Nuggets, as usual, get a bit sloppy late in this one and let the Rockets cut the lead to just five.

Lawson extends the lead back to seven with two free throws.

Nuggets 112, Rockets 104--54.3 remaining in the 4th quarter

What a night in Denver. The Nuggets dropped at least 110 points, so the Denver world gets four Taco Bell Tacos for just $1.

This may be the only time I've wished I called Denver my home.

Nuggets 112, Rockets 102---1:15 remaining in the 4th quarter

Carlos Delfino gets a very, very favorable call and hits two free-throws to pull the Rockets within four, making this one a game in the final minutes.

Nuggets 106, Rockets 102--2:45 remaining in the 4th quarter

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Danilo Gallinari is clearly not okay with the Nuggets losing another one. He's draining three balls like they are going out of style.

Gallinari has 27 points on 4-of-9 shooting from three-point land.

Nuggets 104, Rockets 98--3:40 remaining in the 4th quarter

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Two offensive fouls and two quick buckets by the Rockets and this one is quite a bit closer. Terrible closing out by the Nuggets.

Not the most intelligent and disciplined play by Denver. George Karl can't be happy with the last few minutes.

Nuggets 101, Rockets 95--4:55 remaining in the 4th quarter

That Ty Lawson three ball all but sealed this one for the Nuggets. The Rockets are falling apart at the seems, and a large part of that is because the refs have stopped calling fouls on every Harden drive.

Nuggets 101, Rockets 90--5:50 remaining in the 4th quarter

The Nuggets continue the dominance, leading a 19-1 run going back to the 3rd quarter.

Rockets might want to slow that down. I mean I'm not an NBA coach, but I'd think that would be important.

Nuggets 96, Rockets 86--7:45 remaining in the 4th quarter

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Gallinari is doing his best Kevin Garnett impersonation and yelling to himself running down the court after two big three balls. For some reason it's a lot more intimidating when KG does it.

Gallinari just looks like he's got some issues.

Nuggets 94, Rockets 86--8:43 remaining in the 4th quarter

Both teams are a combined 10-of-40 from beyond-the-arc. That's no mans land for whether that's a good or bad performance.

Nuggets 88, Rockets 86--10:30 remaining in the 4th quarter

That right there is why a man named Omer Asik should NEVER be handling the ball outside of the post.

Turnover leads to a Gallinari layup to give the Nuggets the one-point lead. Silly Asik, dribbling is for point guards.

Nuggets 87, Rockets 86--11:11 remaining in the 4th quarter

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The Houston Rockets just seem like they don't want this one. Every time they get a lead that's more than 5 points, they let the Nuggets pull back with two or three.

The Nuggets aren't going away, thanks to 44 points from Faried, Gallinari and Iguodala.

Rockets 86, Nuggets 83--start of the 4th quarter

What's more impressive heading into the 4th quarter?

James Harden with 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field and 8-of-12 shooting from the charity stripe.

Omer Asik's double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds

Rockets 86, Nuggets 79--31.5 remaining in the 3rd quarter

If you haven't seen James Harden's new footlocker commercial, do yourself a favor and check, check, check, check it out.

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Andre Miller just put the Nuggets on his back and said, "don't worry, I'll take it from here."

Beautiful drive and finish by the ageless wonder.

Rockets 76, Nuggets 75--2:15 remaining in the 3rd quarter

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Just letting James Harden get and-one opportunities in the paint is really what the Nuggets are good at. It's like they don't want to foul him hard enough to not let him score.

Harden has his 10th free-throw attempt of the night.

Rockets 74, Nuggets 68--3:50 remaining in the 3rd quarter

Does anyone else think Omer Asik looks like the original Willy Wonka?

I do. The only problem is I don't think Wonka could get a double-double, 10 points and 13 rebounds against the Nuggets.

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Rockets 72, Nuggets 64--5:26 remaining in the 3rd quarter

Someone better play some defense on Chandler Parsons because he's heating up (In NBA Jam Voice of Course)

6-straight points for Parsons.

Rockets 68, Nuggets 64--6:55 remaining in the 3rd quarter

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There've been about a billion, plus or minus three, lead changes in this one. It's honestly going to come down to who has the ball last.

Nuggets 62, Rockets 62--9:02 remaining in the 3rd quarter

Andre Iguodala joins the air-ball club with an ugly, ugly, ugly shot.

Oh well, at least he can still dunk.

Nuggets 62, Rockets 60--9:30 remaining in the 3rd quarter

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The second half is under way and Danilo Gallinari gets the scoring started. Omer Asik follows it up with a 100% shot, also known as a slam dunk.

Nuggets 60, Rockets 59--10:40 remaining in the 3rd quarter

Halftime in Denver. No team w/ a lead bigger than 4. Rockets up 57-56. @jharden13 leads all scorers w/13 @asikomer 10reb Chandler 11p Lin 9p

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 31, 2013

Check out the statistical categories that the Rockets and Nuggets are ridiculously close in:

Assists--Rockets (12) Nuggets (11)

Steals--Rockets (6) Nuggets (5)

Blocks--Rockets (3) Nuggets (4)

Turnovers--Rockets (10) Nuggets (9)

FG%--Rockets (48.7&) Nuggets (47.7%)

Rockets 57, Nuggets 56--at the half

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It shouldn't be shocking that the Nuggets and Rockets aren't playing much defense, because it's not really their cup of tea.

With James Harden leading the way with 13 points and 8 trips to the charity stripe, the Rockets have a one-point lead over the Nuggets heading into the half.

Andre Iguodala, Kenneth Faried and Danilo Gallinari have combined for 34 points to keep the Nuggets in this one.

Rockets 57, Nuggets 56--at halftime

It's clear that Harden wasn't present when every coach who's ever coached him talked about not throwing cross-court passes.

Turns the ball over to the Nuggs.

Rockets 57, Nuggets 54--33.5 remaining in the 2nd quarter