Pro Sports

Will Barton scores 17 points, Nuggets beat Knicks 129-92

Posted December 06, 2019 6:00 am

By MICHAEL SCOTTO

Denver Nuggets forward Juan Hernangomez (41) goes to the basket past New York Knicks forward RJ Barrett (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - The Denver Nuggets used a balanced scoring attack to crush the New York Knicks.

Will Barton scored 17 points to help the Nuggets beat the Knicks 129-92 on Thursday night.

Jerami Grant added 16 and Monte Morris had 15. The Nuggets shot 56% from the field, had eight players reach double-figures and snapped a two-game losing streak.

Denver's backups scored 74 points, with five double-digit scorers.

"We know our second unit is huge for us," Nuggets reserve Juancho Hernangomez said. "We know what we can do. Our energy has to be at a high level every time. We don't know if we're going to make shots or not, we just have to defend, have fun and play with energy. That's our identity and that's what we're trying to do every single night."

"I thought the key to tonight was that we went to our bench," Nuggets coach Mike Malone added. "I thought that group as great. Everyone contributed. Everyone stepped up. So, it's a good way to start off the road trip."

The Nuggets used a 17-1 run to take a 67-45 halftime lead.

Mitchell Robinson had 17 points and Marcus Morris and Bobby Portis each added 10 for New York. The Knicks have lost eighth straight.

Denver led by 43 points in the fourth quarter.

Knicks coach David Fizdale called the team's effort "sickening" after losing by 44 to Milwaukee on Monday and Thursday's lopsided loss to Denver.

Fizdale was asked if he's worried New York's struggles will be blamed on him.

"I don't care about all of that, I don't even think about that really," Fizdale replied.

TIP-INS

Nuggets: Coach Malone said the team has its highest expectations in his tenure and every game the team plays opponents are 'œcircling us.'ť ... Malone added his greatest challenge will be getting Michael Porter Jr. minutes to develop going forward.

Knicks: Elfrid Payton returned to the lineup after missing the previous 17 games. ... Damyean Dotson suffered a dislocated left pinky in the second quarter.

UP NEXT

Nuggets: At Boston on Friday night.

Knicks: Host Indiana on Saturday night.

___

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Denver Nuggets guard Monte Morris (11) goes to the basket past New York Knicks forward Taj Gibson (67) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Associated Press

Denver Nuggets guard Malik Beasley (25) reacts as he heads to the bench during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Associated Press

New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina (11) fouls Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Associated Press

New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox II (20) stops Denver Nuggets forward Juan Hernangomez (41) from scoring during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Associated Press

Denver Nuggets guard Will Barton (5) drives to the basket as New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (13) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Associated Press

Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap (4) shoots a 3-pointer over New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) The Associated Press

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