Denver at Sacramento

[Real Deal]

TIME: 6:00 PM ET

TV: NBALP

[Real Deal]

http://sports.cbsimg.net/u/photos/basketball/nba/img21411812.jpg

 

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Although it's been a challenging first two months of the season with a long stretch of road games, the Denver Nuggets appeared pretty fresh Sunday against the Sacramento Kings.

 

Reserve JaVale McGee scored 19 points, Danilo Gallinari had 18 and the Nuggets built a big lead in the first half to cruise past the Kings 122-97.

 

It was a lopsided victory for the road-tested Nuggets, who have opened the season with 18 of their first 25 games coming away from home. Already ahead by 18 at the half, Denver outscored the Kings 33-21 in the third quarter to take a 97-67 lead heading into the fourth.

 

"It's the worst stretch of travel I've been associated with," said Nuggets coach George Karl, who is in his 26th season as a head coach. "All we do is travel, play a game, and get in at 3 in the morning. Then we do it all over again."

 

Being on the road for their NBA-leading 18th road game didn't seem to bother the Nuggets, who produced a season-high point total. They shot 54 percent, had 27 assists, outrebounded the Kings 52-42 and committed only 11 turnovers.

 

"I'm enjoying what we are going through," said Andre Iguodala, who had 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. "We have a tough schedule and it's a chance for us to build something. We're trying to play at a high level and be mentally tough."

 

The Nuggets played well right from the start, scoring 16 consecutive points to snap a tie in the first quarter, and led by a comfortable margin the rest of the way.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20121216_DEN@SAC