Whiteside, Ellington power Heat past Nuggets
DENVER -- Hassan Whiteside had 25 points and 16 rebounds, Wayne Ellington came off the bench to score 22 and the Miami Heat beat the Denver Nuggets 106-98 on Wednesday night.
Goran Dragic had 16 points and seven assists for the Heat, who outscored Denver 31-18 in the fourth quarter
Whiteside had a double-double before halftime with 13 points and 13 rebounds and finished with four blocked shots for a shorthanded Miami team.
The Heat (6-12) were without starting shooting guard Dion Waiters, who is out with a torn thigh muscle, and Justise Winslow.
Nikola Jokic had his second double-double in a row with 17 points and 14 rebounds for Denver (7-11). Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinarl scored 17 apiece for the Nuggets.
Miami got a boost from guard Tyler Johnson, who returned after missing one game. Johnson had oral surgery Monday after he had an implant knocked out against Detroit last week. Johnson wore a mouth guard that was specially fitted for him.
He was hesitant to wear it but understands it is necessary.
"I can't miss games because I'm missing teeth," said Johnson, who lost three teeth playing basketball. "My goal is to play all 82 and now I'm going to have to change it up and wear the mouthpiece."
He finished with 18 points and seven assists to help the Heat improve to 4-5 on the road.
The Heat built an 11-point lead in the second quarter and held it until late in the third when their shooting went cold. Miami missed eight straight shots during a 12-0 run by the Nuggets that gave them a 78-71 lead.
Ellington hit two of his six 3-pointers during an 11-0 run that gave the Heat a 92-84 lead with 5:28 left. His fourth 3-pointer of the fourth put Miami ahead 101-91 with 2:25 left.
Rookie Jamal Murray hit two 3-pointers to get Denver within five. The Nuggets had a chance to get closer but Whiteside blocked Murray's layup in the final minute.
NOTES: Miami G Dion Waiters was diagnosed with a torn right pectineus muscle and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. Waiters was left back in Miami with what was thought to be a strain, but an MRI revealed the tear of the muscle, which is located in the front part of the upper and inner thigh. ... Nuggets G Will Barton missed his second consecutive game because of left ankle soreness and third in a row overall. Barton missed nine games earlier this month with a sprained ankle but returned Nov. 20 against Utah. He sat out one game for personal reasons. ... Heat F Justise Winslow (left wrist soreness) stayed in Miami for conditioning and rehab. ... Nuggets F Darrell Arthur was inactive because of illness.