Gordon returns, Hornets beat Nuggets, 94-92

New Orleans Hornets forward Carl Landry (24) shoots over Denver Nuggets guard Andre Miller (24) and forward Al Harrington during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, April 4, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Sean Gardner)

By Brett Martel

AP Sports Writer / April 4, 2012

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NEW ORLEANS—Eric Gordon scored 15 points in his first action in three months, capping the performance with two free throws in the final seconds to lift the New Orleans Hornets to a 94-92 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

Trevor Ariza scored 15 points, and Chris Kaman added 14 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans. The Hornets had six players score in double figures, including all five starters.

Ty Lawson scored 22 points for Denver, which tied it at 92 on Al Harrington's 3 from the corner with 10 seconds left, only to see Gordon bait Arron Afflalo into a foul on an up-fake near the lane with 2 seconds left. Gordon was returning from a right knee bruise that required arthroscopic surgery.

Afflalo finished with 15 points and a career-high seven assists, and Harrington scored 14 points.