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Voshon Lenard scored 20 points and the Denver Nuggets never trailed in a 100-93 preseason win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.
Earl Boykins added 15 points and five assists for Denver (3-0).
Ron Artest led Indiana (2-2) with 28 points and Jeff Foster added seven points and 12 rebounds.
The Pacers were without star forward Jermaine O'Neal, who missed the game with a sore back. Sixth man Al Harrington was also scratched with a bruised shin.
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said O'Neal would be evaluated by a back specialist this weekend, but didn't rule him out for Friday's game against Minnesota. Ticketmaster
The Nuggets took an 85-72 lead into the fourth quarter. But Artest scored seven straight points to open the quarter and the Pacers used a 9-0 run midway through to make it 89-88. Ticketmaster
Mark Pope hit a layup and Boykins nailed a 3-pointer to push the lead back to 96-89.
Carmelo Anthony scored 16 points for the Nuggets, who are averaging 106 points in the preseason.
Reggie Miller scored 15 on 6-of-9 shooting for the Pacers.