SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Will Barton and Trey Lyles made two 3-pointers apiece during a big run in the third quarter, and the short-handed Denver Nuggets pulled away to beat the Sacramento Kings 114-98 on Monday night.
Barton finished with 25 points, six rebounds and five assists in his third start this season for Denver, which played without suspended coach Mike Malone and injured starters Paul Millsap and Wilson Chandler.
Nikola Jokic added 16 points and 14 rebounds and Gary Harris scored 20 for the Nuggets, who bounced back after losing by 21 to the Los Angeles Lakers a night earlier.
Denver couldn't shake Sacramento until a 19-7 run late in the third quarter sparked by the long-distance shooting of Barton and Lyles. The Nuggets shot 15 of 32 beyond the arc and led by as many as 22 in the final period.
Wes Unseld Jr. coached the Nuggets while Malone served a one-game NBA suspension for making contact with a referee in Sunday's loss.
Denver also was missing Millsap, who sprained his left wrist against the Lakers, and Chandler (lower back pain).
George Hill and Kosta Koufos scored 16 points apiece to lead six players in double figures for Sacramento. The Kings, who had won their three previous home games against the Thunder, 76ers and Trail Blazers, have lost five of six overall.
TIP-INS
Nuggets: With Millsap and Chandler out, Unseld went to a three-guard lineup but the offense sputtered in the first half with 11 turnovers. Denver did a much better job after the break and pulled away. Barton shot 9 of 15, including 5 for 6 on 3s. . The Nuggets outscored the Kings 19-6 in second-chance points.
Kings: Zach Randolph had 12 points and six rebounds in his third consecutive start at center. . Buddy Hield missed his second straight game with a sore right ankle.
UP NEXT
Nuggets: Play at Houston on Wednesday. The Rockets have won four straight against Denver.
