CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Tony Parker has said for weeks he's tired of the Charlotte Hornets losing close ones. Friday night, he was big in changing that pattern.
Parker came off the bench to score 19 points, pushing the Hornets to a 113-107 victory over the Denver Nuggets at Spectrum Center. This came on a night when starting point guard Kemba Walker struggled with his shot, making 4 of 11 from the field.
The Nuggets entered this game with the best record in the Western Conference at 17-7. The Hornets (12-13) broke a three-game losing streak, their longest of the season.
Nuggets guard Monte Morris hit a pull-up 3-pointer with 1 minute, 13 seconds left to cut the Hornets lead to three, after Hornets center Cody Zeller's left-handed layup attempt fell off the rim.
Parker responded with a 10-foot pull-up to push the lead back to five with just under a minute remaining.
Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist made a big block from behind Nuggets forward Juan Hernangomez's shot at the rim late.
Walker finished with 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray scored 20.
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