Jan 17, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribbles the ball under pressure from Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis (11) in the fourth quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets defeated the Pacers 129-126. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

8p9s Roundtable: Concerns for the Indiana Pacers at the Halfway Point by Ben Gibson

Paul George on Shortlist for Team USA, Expected to Play in Rio Since It’s Up to Him

Paul George on Shortlist for Team USA, Expected to Play in Rio Since It’s Up to Him by Jared Wade

The Indiana Pacers once again had a double-digit lead — and once again they lost it and the game — this time to the Denver Nuggets.

Thanks to the absence of three of the Pacers’ regulars, Frank Vogel had to go deeper into his rotation than usual with Glenn Robinson III getting the start and Myles Turner and Joe Young playing heavy minutes.

The Pacers looked to be a good shape as they took a 15-point lead in the second half, but as they’ve been prone to lately they gave up that advantage and found themselves on the wrong end of the scoreboard again.

Myles Turner has a season-high 25 points in the game, as well as 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. Monta Ellis had 24 points and 5 assists while Paul George had 19 points and 5 assists as well. Rookie Joe Young had a strong performance as well with 15 points on 7 of 11 shooting.

The offense was good for Indiana as they shot 58.5% from the field and 47.4% from deep, but allowing 45 points in the fourth quarter was too much for the Pacers to overcome.

The Pacers have a day off before playing the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, the last team they managed to close out.