(AP) Gary Harris scored 23 points and came up with a big steal late to help Denver hold off short-handed New Orleans after nearly squandering an 18-point lead.
Jamal Murray chipped in 23 points and Nikola Jokic had 12 points and 10 assists for his fifth double-double in six games.
Nikola Mirotic came up clutch with 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Pelicans, who were without Anthony Davis (sprained right elbow) and Elfrid Payton (sprained right ankle). Reserve Julius Randle added 24.
Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry says they had too many turnovers. "No, I don't think it's ever understandable to turn the ball over 22 times. And I think what happened is that some of our turnovers came because we were trying to play in really tight, confided spaces and against that team you can't do that. You have to try to spread them out on the floor."
Gentry did praise the fight in his team, but said they didn't have enough firepower to finish the game.
The Pelicans are now 4-2 with their second straight loss. They travel to Golden State to face the 7-1 Warriors on Halloween night.
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