The 36-year-old guard Andre Miller played an important role in Denver Nuggets' win over the Indiana Pacers 92-89 Friday night.
Miller, who was one NBA's most feared guards until a few years back, scored 15 points and eight assists, but his match winning contribution came later in the game, when he added eight points in a decisive 10-0 run.
"He knows how to get shots down the stretch better than some of our other guys, some of our younger guys," the Associated Press quoted head coach of the Denver Nuggets George Karl as saying. "He was running the pick-and-roll actions better than anyone all game long, and he just has that old-man knack, that old-school knack."
For the Nuggets, JaVale McGee scored a season-high 20 points and eight rebounds, while Corey Brewer also added a season-high 20 points. McGee shot well from the field, making all nine of his shots.
Denver's Kosta Koufos contributed with 12 points and five rebounds and had five of eight attempts from the field. Andre Iguodala finished with 10 points.
Although Miller was not the top scorer for Denver, he scored, when the team needed it most.
"We just want to keep providing some stability, some energy, so hopefully, it can carry over into the games," Miller said.
For the Pacers, top scorer Paul George added 22 points, six assists and grabbed six rebounds, while David West scored 18 points and chipped in with 11 rebounds; George Hill had 15 points. Lance Stephenson contributed with 12 points and had five of eight from the field, whereas, Roy Hibbert had 10 points and nine rebounds.
The Pacers offense looked very strong in the first quarter and racked up 28 points, while the Pacers could score only 22. But, Indiana could not take advantage of their six-point lead later in the game.
The Nuggets scored 29 points in the second quarter and led in the first half. Now, the pressure was on the Pacers.
The Pacers tried to fight back, but Miller did not allow Indiana to make a comeback in the game.
"He's drinking from the fountain of youth," point guard Ty Lawson said. "He was coming down and getting buckets, getting assists, he's playing well for us. He's winning games for us."
Stephenson's layup and Hill's three point play, along with Hibbert free throw tied the score at 82 with 3:52 minutes remaining.
It seemed for a few seconds that Indiana were going to mount a challenge with momentum on their side, when George made a three. But then Miller responded with two free throws, then a layup, a jumper and a 14-foot pullup to take the score to 92-85 with 1:01 left.
"They came out and really brought it up a level and it kind of took us some time to adjust to that," George said. "By that time, they kind of found something, letting Andre Miller attack and find guys."
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