Denver Nuggets vs Atlanta Hawks Match Player Stats On Oct 27, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Oct 27, 2017

ATLANTA - The Denver Nuggets snapped a five-season losing streak in Atlanta, spoiling the Hawks' home opener and making a winner of Paul Millsap in his return to Philips Arena on Friday night.

Milllsap scored seven of his 16 points down the stretch for the Nuggets, who won in Atlanta for the first time since March 16, 2011 with a 105-100 victory.

Gary Harris and Will Barton each had 18 points for the Nuggets, while Nikola Jokic also contributed 18 points and added 15 rebounds.

Millsap, a four-time All-Star with the Hawks before signing with Denver as a free agent, received a loud round of applause during player introductions and a standing ovation in the first quarter after a video tribute to his time in Atlanta was played on the scoreboard.

Dennis Schroder, who missed the previous two games because of a sprained ankle, scored 20 points to lead the Hawks, who lost their fifth straight after a victory at Dallas in their opener.

Taurean Prince scored 19 points, Marco Belinelli hit five 3-pointers for his 15 points, and Dewayne Dedmon contributed 13 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.

Sparked by Mason Plumlee's six late points and two blocks, Denver (2-3) closed the third quarter on a 9-3 run to take a 75-71 lead into the final quarter.

The Nuggets, who trailed 62-39 at halftime in their loss at Charlotte on Wednesday, led most of the first half and were up 53-52 at the break against the Hawks.

Harris scored 14 first-half points for the Nuggets. Jokic had 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Emmanuel Mudiay, who finished with 16 points, scored 10 points in the second quarter.

Prince had 12 points for Atlanta at halftime, hitting two of his team's eight first-half 3-point baskets in 17 attempts.

NOTES: Hawks G Dennis Schroder returned after missing two games with a sprained left ankle suffered Sunday late in the loss at Brooklyn. ... F Ersan Ilyasova (knee) was also back in the Hawks lineup after a two-game absence. ... F DeAndre Bembry (broken wrist) and C Miles Plumlee (quad) are on the Hawks' injury list. ... The Nuggets are at full strength except for F Juancho Hernangomez (mononucleosis). ... The first phase of Philips Arena's $142.5 million makeup includes a bar behind one basket and a reduction in capacity from 18,047 to 15,711 with the elimination of some suites. ... The Nuggets finish their four-game road trip at Brooklyn on Sunday and New York on Monday. ... The Hawks host Milwaukee on Sunday.