Pacers final score: Nuggets top Pacers 101-98

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports In a masterclass of competitive losing, the Indiana Pacers continue to struggle in close games, falling late to the Denver Nuggets. The Pacers, a blight on offensive basketball for three quarters, found life on that end of the ball in the fourth quarter only to have their stalwart defense go by the wayside.

That combination made what was largely a close game all night between two scrapping teams a negative for Indiana. A quick Nuggets start, led by Will Barton, finished off with a massive fourth from Barton, who torched the Pacers all night for 30 points and six three pointers.

That kind of performance on a night when both teams were missing key scoring…