Foye's late 3-pointer lifts Nuggets over Pacers, 129-126

DENVER (AP) The Denver Nuggets atoned for a poor defensive first half with a strong offense after the break to pull out a big win.

Randy Foye hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 21 seconds left and the Nuggets rallied with 75 points in the second half to beat the Indiana Pacers 129-126 on Sunday night.

The Nuggets came back to get their seventh straight win at home over the Pacers. Danilo Gallinari had 23 points and Will Barton scored 21, including two free throws with 6 seconds left to help seal it.

Barton had 15 of Denver's 45 points in the fourth quarter. The 75 points was a season high for a half this season.

''We scored 75 points in the second half, which is crazy,'' Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. ''We did a better job of taking care of the ball in the second half.''

It wasn't easy after Indiana's blistering start. The Pacers shot 66 percent in the first half and were 7 of 10 from 3-point range. Monta Ellis had 15 points for Indiana, which led 66-54 at halftime.

Denver countered with a strong offensive game after the break to pull out the win.

''We had to put up some points and I think we really got after it on the offensive end,'' Barton said.

Indiana led 119-116 after rookie Myles Turner hit 1 of 2 free throws.

Barton, who scored 15 point in the fourth, tied it at 119 with his third 3-pointer of the game. The teams traded baskets and missed free throws before Foye hit the tiebreaking 3.

''Gallo fouled out, coach called my number and just played defense,'' said Foye, who finished with 12 points and six assists. ''I got a couple to Will early on and he found me at the end. It's been a shot I've been working on all year. Just repetition.''

The Pacers hit three free throws and Barton a pair to make it a 3-point game. Paul George's 3-point attempt in the final seconds that would have tied it was blocked by Emmanuel Mudiay.

''I thought PG had time to shot fake, they switched out on and he thought he had air space, but Mudiay made a great play,'' Indiana coach Frank Vogel said.

Turner scored a career-high 25 points, Ellis had 24 and George added 19 for the Pacers. Indiana, which has lost three straight, remained winless in Denver since 2007.

The Pacers had just 10 players available but nearly pulled out the win. George Hill (personal reasons), Rodney Stuckey (sprained right foot) and Ian Mahinmi (sore left heel) were did not play.

''We have two over three best defenders in George (Hill) and Ian, but other guys got to step up not just by making shots but by guarding,'' Vogel said. ''And when we start deciding to defend, we'll start winning again.''

The Nuggets bounced back from a disappointing loss Friday to Miami, which didn't have Dwyane Wade in the lineup. Denver is now 3-1 on its current eight-game homestand.

The Pacers cooled off to start the third and Denver rallied to take an 80-78 lead. Indiana responded with a 13-4 run to go in front 91-84 after three.

The lead grew to 10 early in the fourth but Denver went on a 14-5 run to take a 106-105 lead on Barton's 3-pointer.

TIP-INS

Pacers: The 66 first-half points were a season high. ... The Pacers' reserves combined for 62 points. ... Turner's previous career-high in scoring was 10.

Nuggets: G Jameer Nelson was out with a sprained left wrist. Nelson, who had been dealing with a sore left hip, injured his wrist against Miami on Friday night. ... C Jusuf Nurkic (left knee) missed his second straight game.

UP NEXT

Pacers: At Phoenix on Tuesday night.

Nuggets: Host Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.