The New Orleans Hornets have played the Denver Nuggets tight this season, and the first half of Wednesday night has been no different. The Nuggets lead the lowly Hornets only by the score of 46-45 going into the locker room, with the frontline keeping the Hornets in the game by working the Nuggets on the glass as well as getting to the free throw line.
New Orleans outrebounded Denver by nine in the first half, and were also able to stay in the game thanks to a marked free throw advantage, most of which can be attributed to their big men. Carl Landry and Chris Kaman had a combined 11 boards in the first and made five of seven shots from the line.
The Nuggets were led by point guard Ty Lawson, who finished the half with 12 points and three rebounds. As for Denver's big men, Kousta Koufos pitched in with seven points and five rebounds, but JaVale McGee and Kenneth Faried only combined for three rebounds.
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