Nuggets overwhelm the Hornets, 121-63
Carmelo Anthony scored all of his 26 points in the first three quarters, and the Denver Nuggets thoroughly dismantled the New Orleans Hornets, 121-63, on Monday night to take a commanding 3-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
The New Orleans Arena was mostly empty by the end of the third quarter, when Denver led, 89-50, on its way to matching the most lopsided victory in NBA playoff history. The Minneapolis Lakers beat the St. Louis Hawks, 133-75, in 1956.
Looking twice as quick as the Hornets on both ends of the court, the Nuggets stifled Hornets All-Star Chris Paul, whose four points and six assists amounted to one of the worst games of his career.
Atlanta 81, Miami 71 -- Zaza Pachulia finished with 12 points and 18 rebounds, and the Hawks raced out to a huge first-half lead and frustrated Dwyane Wade endlessly in beating the Heat at Miami, tying the first-round playoff series at two games apiece.
Wade scored 22 points, doing so on nine-for-26 shooting and wincing at times from a back injury.
It was Atlanta’s first road playoff win in nearly 12 years.
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