This matchup featured two teams going in opposite directions, with Denver winners of three in a row and New Orleans losers of four straight, but so far the Hornets have had the upper hand and lead 32-24 after the opening quarter.

The Nuggets weren't bad from the field -- they hit 10 of 21 field goal attempts -- but the Hornets shot over 59%, won the rebounding and turnover battles by slim margins, and that's the difference so far.

Danilo Gallinari and Al Harrington lead the Nuggets with seven points apiece, while Arron Afflalo has six. Marco Belinelli scored 10 points in the quarter for New Orleans, and Jarrett Jack added seven points and three assists.

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