Nuggets use big second-half run to beat Hornets

Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points and the Denver Nuggets went on a 19-0 run spanning the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth, beating the New Orleans Hornets 96-88 on Friday night.

The Nuggets scored the last eight points of the third quarter and took the lead for the first time, 64-63 on Andre Miller's shot in the lane to start the fourth. They scored on their first five possessions of the fourth while the Hornets did not get off a shot, committing four consecutive turnovers.

Al Harrington had 14 points off the bench for the balanced Nuggets, who won their fourth in a row. Andre Miller and Arron Afflalo added 13 points, with Ty Lawson contributing 12 points and eight assists.

Reserve Greivis Vasquez had 16 points for the Hornets, who lost their fifth in a row.