Scola leads Rockets past hurting Nuggets 99-90

By Arnie Stapleton

Associated Press

Published: Monday, Feb. 6 2012 9:45 p.m. MST

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Denver Nuggets center Chris Andersen (11) grabs a rebound against Houston Rockets forward Luis Scola (4) during the second quarter of an NBA basketball game on Monday, Feb. 6, 2012, in Denver.

Jack Dempsey, Associated Press

Summary

Luis Scola scored 25 points and the Houston Rockets handed the injury-riddled Denver Nuggets their third straight loss, 99-90 on Monday night.

DENVER — Luis Scola scored 25 points and the Houston Rockets handed the injury-riddled Denver Nuggets their third straight loss, 99-90 on Monday night.

The Nuggets not only lost for the fifth time in six games but they lost budding star forward Danilo Gallinari, who rolled his left ankle in the third quarter. X-rays revealed a chip fracture of the foot and he was scheduled for further tests Tuesday "for a definitive diagnosis," the team said.

Gallinari had 14 points when he went down with 9:38 left in the third quarter. He was replaced by Rudy Fernandez, who also scored 14 points to top Denver's makeshift lineup.

Kyle Lowry added 20 points for Houston, which won for just the fourth time in a dozen road games. Chase Budinger had 16 points on the strength of five 3-pointers, his last one giving Houston a seven-point lead with a minute left.

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