Hawks pull out win over Nuggets in final seconds
DENVER -- Paul Millsap hit two free throws with six seconds left and grabbed a key rebound in the last second, and the Atlanta Hawks beat the Denver Nuggets 109-108 on Friday night.
Millsap finished with 20 points and eight rebounds and Dennis Schroder scored for the Hawks (15-15).
Danilo Gallinari had 21 points and a season-high 11 rebounds and Wilson Chandler had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets (12-18).
Atlanta played its third straight game without center Dwight Howard but is 2-1, with both wins coming on the road.
The Hawks scratched Kyle Korver just before tip because of illness. Without him, Howard and Tim Hardaway Jr. (groin) Atlanta was missing 34.7 points a game.
They pulled this one out despite the absences by outscoring the Nuggets 9-0 in the final 1:43.
Denver seemed comfortably ahead after Emmanuel Mudiay hit four free throws to build an eight-point lead. But Atlanta rallied from the foul line to pull within one.
After Chandler missed a jumper, Millsap was fouled by Darrell Arthur. He hit both free throws, and Chandler missed a runner in the lane with two seconds left and Millsap grabbed the rebound.
The Nuggets averaged 125.3 points in their previous three home games but were held down by an Atlanta team that has had more success on the road than at home. The Hawks didn't allow Denver to score 30 points in any quarter.
The Nuggets built a five-point lead to start the fourth but Atlanta forced three turnovers to get within 94-93 with 5:52 left.
A bucket by Gary Harris and a free throw by Nikola Jokic gave Denver some breathing room but the Hawks hung around. Millsap rebounded his own missed free throw and Mike Muscala hit a 3-pointer out of a timeout to make it 102-100 with 2:50 left.
The Nuggets led 71-61 in the third quarter and Atlanta went on an 18-4 run to take the lead. Gallinari's 3-point play at the end of the period tied it at 82 heading into the fourth.
NOTES: C Dwight Howard's back tightness is improving, Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer said. "Part of not traveling was hoping that we could keep it going in the right direction. Probably be extra cautious, extra conservative or conservatively aggressive. I think we're all hopeful he'll be able to play very soon. We'll see between now and (Monday)." ... For the second time in six days, Denver travels to Los Angeles to play the Clippers on Monday. ... Atlanta G Tim Hardaway Jr. (groin) was ruled out, but Budenholzer said he shouldn't be gone long. "He did a little bit this morning and tested it, just not able to go," Budenholzer said.