Shorthanded Hornets Snap Nuggets Three-Game Streak

`I think defensively we did a good job all night which is what was required in order to win this game tonight`, Hornets coach said.

The shorthanded New Orleans Hornets put in a strong defensive effort in the fourth quarter to beat the visiting Denver Nuggets 94-81 on Wednesday.

Peja Stojakovic led all scorers with 26 points and the Hornets limited their opponents to just 16 points in the final period to win for the fifth time in six contests.

"I think defensively we did a good job all night which is what was required in order to win this game tonight," Hornets coach Byron Scott told reporters. "We did a good job of taking care of the ball and forcing turnovers."

Playing without injured starters David West and Tyson Chandler, New Orleans have had to rally behind leader Chris Paul for the past few games.

The All-Star point guard was not at his best -- he shot just 3-for-12 from the floor -- but he grabbed 12 points and 10 rebounds while reserve Devin Brown added 18 for the Hornets.

"You just have to be ready in that situation," Brown said. "That's what veteran players do. We're so deep that when you get the opportunity to play you have to take advantage of it."

Kenyon Martin had a team-high 22 points and J.R. Smith contributed 20 for the Nuggets, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Deprived of leading scorer Carmelo Anthony because of a hand injury since Jan. 5, Denver could have used some extra offense in the final quarter when New Orleans held them scoreless for nearly five minutes.

The Hornets racked up 14 unanswered points to take a commanding 82-70 advantage with 5:41 left.

Chauncey Billups struggled to 4-for-14 shooting and had 12 points for the Northwest Division-leading Nuggets (30-16), who had 18 turnovers on the night.

The Hornets improved to 28-14 and are now one game behind the first-place San Antonio Spurs in the Southwest Division.