Orlando at Denver

[Real Deal]

TIME: 9:00 PM ET

TV: NBALP

[Real Deal]

http://sports.cbsimg.net/u/photos/basketball/nba/img21528268.jpg

 

DENVER -- By sprawling on the ground after a loose ball, Kenneth Faried helped the Denver Nuggets steal a win.

 

Then again, his teammates expect nothing less from the high-energy forward.

 

Granted, Faried had an incredible night, scoring 19 points and grabbing 19 rebounds to lead the Nuggets to a 108-105 win over the slumping Orlando Magic on Wednesday. But that hustle play may have been the biggest contribution by the player nicknamed "Manimal."

 

Without it, well, who knows how this one would've turned out?

 

Trailing by nine early in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets roared back and tied the game at 99 on an alley-oop dunk by Faried. But he was just getting warmed up.

 

When Andre Iguodala missed a free throw on the next possession, Faried lunged for the ball on the floor and scooped it up, quickly calling time out.

 

Out of the break, Ty Lawson converted a three-point play with 1:27 remaining that gave the Nuggets the lead for good and sent them to their third straight win.

 

After the game, Danilo Gallinari made sure Faried's effort wasn't forgotten.

 

"Gallo came up to me and said, `Thank you,"' Faried said. "Those are the plays that do go sometimes unnoticed. Tonight, it didn't."

 

No, it didn't at that.

 

This game had shades of Minnesota written all over it, too.

 

A week ago, the Nuggets were coming off an emotional victory as they snapped the Los Angeles Clippers' 17-game win streak. But they stumbled at home to a depleted Timberwolves squad.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/gametracker/recap/NBA_20130109_ORL@DEN