PLAYER OF THE GAME: Nick Van Exel didn't let an anemic start stop him a scintillating scoring night. After missing 10 of his first 13 shots, the Nuggets' guard finished with 38 points on 12-for-29 shooting.

TOP RESERVE: George McCloud might as well have been a starter. In 33 minutes, McCloud had 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

KEY TO THE GAME: The Sonics are used to having the advantage when another team tries to go small. But few teams in the NBA have perimeter players who spread the court and shoot three-pointers with the accuracy of the Nuggets. Denver shot 34.6 percent from three-point range but that includes 18 percent in the first half.

NEXT: Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. against the Mavericks at American Airlines Arena.