The Indiana Pacers kept pace with the Denver Nuggets for the first quarter, but a quick 4-0 start in the second quarter helped push the Nuggets to where Indiana had no real shot of turning the game into their favor, not with their defensive effort, and not with their effort in general. The Nuggets would outscore Indiana 34-19 in the second quarter, pushing their lead to as many as 33.

Indiana had nothing defensively against the Nuggets, who breezed their way to 50% shooting, winning the rebounding battle, and bringing a vastly superior level of hustle to the game. The Pacers played a relatively clean game with only 13 turnovers, but allowed 22 points off turnovers. Indiana's offense had trouble scoring after the first quarter, barely breaking 20 in each of the third and fourth quarters. Indiana was led by A.J. Price, who had 14 points on 5-9 shooting. Lavoy Allen, Donald Sloan, and Solomon Hill all reached double figures with 12. The loss drops Indiana to 3-7 as they travel to Chicago for the second night of a back-to-back against the Bulls.