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Nets hand Nuggets third straight loss

Feb 14, 2013 - 5:25 AM Brooklyn, NY (Sports Network) - Three Nets players scored 20-plus points as Brooklyn defeated the Denver Nuggets, 119-108, on Wednesday.

Joe Johnson recorded 26 points and nine assists, C.J. Watson scored 25 points and Brook Lopez had 23 points and eight rebounds for the Nets, who came into the game off an overtime win against the Pacers. Kris Humphries scored 14 points off the bench.

"We ran our offense, got to the free throw line when we needed to and made big plays when we needed to," Johnson said.

Ty Lawson had 26 points for the Nuggets, who have lost three straight games. Jordan Hamilton and JaVale McGee scored 15 and 14 points, respectively, from the bench. Andrew Miller registered eight points and 10 assists.

"Defensively, this whole road trip, we have not been sharp," said Denver head coach George Karl.

The game was close throughout the first quarter, with neither team having a lead of more than four points. Evan Fournier scored from beyond the arc at the buzzer to give Denver a 26-23 edge.

It appeared it would be the same in the second quarter, as both teams continued to trade shots.

However, down 40-37 with 7:15 remaining, Watson made a three-pointer to tie the game. Lopez followed 15 seconds later to give the Nets a 42-40 lead and they never looked back.

Chandler fired a long two and brought Denver within two, 58-56, with 1:32 remaining in the half, but it was the closest the Nuggets could get for the rest of the game.

A pair of free throws by Reggie Evans and a two-pointer by Lopez gave Brooklyn a 62-57 margin at halftime

A free throw by Watson started an early 18-4 run for the Nets, who had an 80-63 advantage with 6:50 remaining in the third.

With 3:21 left to play, Brooklyn held its biggest lead with 20, 89-69. The Nuggets responded with a 12-4 run, before Johnson ended it with a five- foot shot at the buzzer to give the Nets a 95-81 lead into the fourth.

Denver outscored Brooklyn 18-6 in the first four minutes of the fourth to cut the deficit to 101-96.

However, the Nets went on a 14-3 run, capped off with a layup by Lopez to give them a 117-103 lead with 2:51 remaining and put the game out of reach.

Game Notes

Denver shot 70.6 percent from three-point range, but shot just 54.5 percent from the free throw line ... Brooklyn's 119 points and 16 three-pointers are season-highs ... Brooklyn defeated Denver for the first time since a 115-99 win on Jan. 31, 2011.