Pacers 109, Nuggets 105 (OT)
INDIANAPOLIS -- On a night where Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis scored a season-high 32 points, it was fitting he came through with the biggest play.
Ellis highlighted his big game by converting a 3-point play with 20.4 seconds left in overtime as the Pacers knocked off the Nuggets 109-105 Saturday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
The Pacers (25-22) scored the first five points in overtime, starting with a 3-pointer by Paul George.
Trailing 106-105, the Nuggets (18-30) had a chance to take the lead but forward Danilo Gallinari stepped out of bounds. Ellis converted a crushing three-point play off a driving layup with 20.4 seconds left to boost the lead to 109-105.
Jordan Hill started in place of center Ian Mahinmi (sore lower back), finished with 20 for the Pacers and George added 19 points.
Gallinari led for Denver with 23 points and Gary Harris added 18 points.
Ellis scored 17 on 7-of-10 shooting in the first half as the Pacers led the Nuggets 59-51 at halftime. Gallinari, Harris and center Nikola Jokic scored eight points apiece in the third quarter and the Nuggets took an 83-80 lead 83-80 heading into the fourth.
The Pacers took the lead at 90-89 on a hook shot by Jordan Hill with 6:11 left in the fourth. Guard George Hill pushed the lead to 92-89 with two free throws with 5:54 to go.
Denver regained the lead at 95-94 on a dunk by Harris with 3:41 remaining. The two teams traded the lead over the next two-plus minutes.
Ellis hit one of two free throws to tie it at 99-99 It remained deadlocked as Ellis missed a 3-point shot at the buzzer.
Before the dramatics of the fourth and overtime, Ellis hit three 3-pointers and scored 13 points in the first half as Indiana led by as many as 11.
NOTES: In a 129-126 victory over Indiana Jan. 17, Denver set season-highs in points (129), points in a half (75 in second half) and points in a quarter (45 in fourth quarter). ... Pacers starting C Ian Mahinmi is out with a sore lower back. Mahinmi was a late scratch. ... Pacers G Rodney Stuckey is still sidelined with a right foot sprain/bone bruise. ... Pacers rookie F Myles Turner scored eight points on 3-of-11 shooting in his second career start after scoring 20 in Thursday's victory over Atlanta. ... Nuggets G Gary Harris is playing his second NBA game in Indianapolis before family and friends. Harris played at Hamilton Southeastern High School in the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers. Harris was able to spend some time with family on off-day on Friday. ... The Nuggets have won eight of the last 12 meetings with the Pacers. ... Nuggets F/C Joffrey Lauvergne (toe) was available Saturday but did not play.