The Denver Nuggets defeated the Portland Trail Blazers, 132 - 120, at Pepsi Center on Thursday. These are two teams that have struggled on the defensive end this season and it was clearly evident here in this 252 - point game. The Denver offense was lights - out, as they shot 51 percent from the field, 89 percent from the free - throw line and 48 percent from three - point range. While the scoreline shows a 12 - point spread, the Nuggets pulled out the rare wire - to - wire win, as the Blazers never looked like a threat. In fact, the Nuggets led by 25 at times in their win and the final 12 - point difference was one of the lowest of the game. Portland (13 - 15) has been terrible on defense all year and this performance may be rock - bottom. Damian Lillard did all he could though, as he tallied 40 points and 10 assists in the defeat. C.J. McCollum also played well, accruing 23 points, three rebounds and four assists. Mason Plumlee was the only other Blazer in double figures, as he totaled 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. The defense is unlikely to improve in the next game, as they face the Golden State Warriors on the road on Saturday. Denver (10 - 16) got a great team effort here, as their five starters combined for 81 points. Danilo Gallinari led the team in scoring, dropping 27 points, four rebounds and three assists on 8 - of - 13 shooting. Gary Harris had a strong showing in one of his first games of the season off a foot injury, as he amassed 18 points, four rebounds and six assists in the win. Wilson Chandler provided 17 points and eight rebounds of his own. Kenneth Faried, Jameer Nelson and Will Barton all scored in double figures off the bench. Denver's next game will be on Saturday, when they host the New York Knicks.
["TeamStat(G,'Nuggets') has 48 Percentage of 3 points ,has 51 Percentage of field goals ,has 16 Losses ,has 132 Total points ,has 10 Wins ."
 "TeamStat(G,'Trail Blazers') has 15 Percentage of 3 points ,has 120 Percentage of field goals ,has 13 Losses ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Mason Plumlee') has 4 Assists ,has 19 Blocks ,has 7 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'CJ McCollum') has 4 Assists ,has 23 Blocks ,has 3 Field goals attempted ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Damian Lillard') has 10 Assists ,has 40 Blocks ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Danilo Gallinari') has 3 Assists ,has 13 Blocks ,has 8 Field goals attempted ,has 27 Field goals made ,has 4 Free throws attempted ,has 1 Free throws made ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Wilson Chandler') has 17 Assists ,has 8 Blocks ."
 "PlayerStat(G,'Gary Harris') has 6 Assists ,has 1 Blocks ,has 1 Field goals attempted ,has 1 Field goals made ,has 18 Free throws attempted ,has 4 Free throws made ."]