Pacers fall to Nuggets 140-112 in London

The Indiana Pacers road trip across the Atlantic did not go as planned Thursday as they fell to the Denver Nuggets 140-112. Indiana fell behind early, and were never able to take the lead in the game, as the Nuggets got off to a 14-6 start behind Danillo Gallinari's three consecutive three-pointers and never looked back.

Paul George struggled going 2-12 from the field, but he did record four steals, four rebounds and three assists in the game. Denver shot lights out in the first quarter from beyond-the-arc, hitting six threes to help them gain a 30-29 lead after the first quarter behind Gallinari's 11 points.

The hot Denver shooting and poor transition defense by Indiana continued to plague the Pacers in the second quarter, as the Nuggets bench exploded for 23 points to end the half. Indiana stayed in the game by shooting well from outside, but the deficit was extended to 11 at the half.

The Nuggets led 67-56 through two quarters in London.

Indiana was a step behind in the third frame, as the Denver big's took over the game. Nikola Jokic scored 11 points in the third, while Wilson Chandler dropped in nine points of his own in an embarrassing defensive performance for the Pacers. Jeff Teague, who finished the game with 14 points and nine assists on 5-7 shooting, helped the Nuggets extend their lead in the third with three horrific turnovers that lead to easy Denver buckets.

The Pacers would end up trailing by as much as 34 in the game, but had a much more respectable showing in the fourth. The Indiana bench shot well, led by C.J. Miles, Aaron Brooks and Monta Ellis, who combined for 46 points in the game.

Indiana will look to rebound when they arrive back in the U.S. and face the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.