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Nuggets cap 5-0 road trip with rout of Kings

Jan 26, 2012 - 7:40 AM Sacramento, CA (Sports Network) - Danilo Gallinari led seven players in double figures with 23 points, as the Nuggets wrapped up a historically successful road trip with a 122-93 blowout of the Kings.

Since joining the NBA prior to the 1976-77 season, the Nuggets had never recorded a 5-0 road trip. That changed Wednesday, when they bulled their way to 92 points in the paint and a fifth consecutive victory away from home.

Gallinari, who signed a contract extension earlier Wednesday, went 8-of-12 from the field and added five assists. Nene added 16 points and Andre Miller had 15 and 10 assists.

"We made a point not to settle for jumpers because that is a team that's struggling defensively with their identity," said Nuggets forward Al Harrington. "There were so many open things, so we just tried to pick one of them and really attack and that was the rim."

The Kings, losers of three straight, were led by rookie Jimmer Fredette's 19 points. DeMarcus Cousins finished with 17 and 15 rebounds and Isaiah Thomas chipped in 16 points.

"Kind of an embarrassing moment for our fans to watch us play that way," said Kings coach Keith Smart.

Denver had already bested the Bucks, Sixers, Wizards and Knicks on their road swing, although Saturday's win over New York didn't prove easy. Gallinari scored nine of his 37 points in the second overtime against his former team, outdueling former Nuggets cornerstone Carmelo Anthony en route to the 119-114 decision.

On Wednesday, the Kings proved much easier fare. The Nuggets led 32-26 after the first quarter and 66-43 at the half behind 21 points from Gallinari. They scored all 28 of their third-quarter points in the paint, as the advantage grew to as many as 32.

Corey Brewer scored eight of his 15 points in the fourth, as the Denver reserves wrapped up the historic win.

Game Notes

Gallinari joined the Nuggets last season in a blockbuster trade that sent Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the New York Knicks...Denver reserve center Kosta Koufos, who came over from Minnesota in the aforementioned three-team trade, also inked an extension with the Nuggets on Wednesday...Denver has won four straight over the Kings.