Pelicans (8-19), Nuggets (11-16)
DENVER – The All-Star Game is roughly two months away from being held in Toronto, but on Sunday night two Western Conference teams produced a reasonable facsimile to the kind of offensive exploits that take place at the league’s midseason showcase. In an old-fashioned shootout, New Orleans outlasted Denver, despite allowing a season-high 74 first-half points. The Pelicans answered with a 63-point second half of their own to finally take control in the game’s final minutes. New Orleans wrapped up its five-game road trip at 2-3 and will return home Wednesday to face Portland.