Nuggets 129, Celtics 98: Randy Foye led six players in double figures with 23 points as Denver crushed visiting Boston to pick up its third straight win.

Kenneth Faried collected 21 points and 13 rebounds while Ty Lawson had 19 points and 13 assists for the Nuggets, who have won their last three after dropping eight in a row. J.J. Hickson added 17 points and eight boards for Denver.

Jeff Green scored 17 points and Brandon Bass chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds as the Celtics dropped their fifth straight. Avery Bradley added 12 points for Boston.

The Nuggets wasted little time running away with the game and never trailed. Foye’s 3-pointer midway through the first quarter made it 20-9 and the lead reached 55-37 on Lawson’s 3-pointer with 5:16 left in the second before Denver cruised into the break with a 68-45 cushion.

Foye capped an 11-0 spurt with one of his seven 3-pointers to make it 82-51 less than four minutes into the third and the Nuggets were never threatened. The teams combined to shoot 70 free throws in a physical game that saw Denver coach Brain Shaw ejected after arguing a call with officials in the third period.

GAME NOTEBOOK: G Jerryd Bayless, who was acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, scored six points on 3-of-11 shooting in his debut for Boston. … The Celtics have dropped the first two of a five-game road trip that finishes with the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State and Portland. … Denver G Andre Miller (personal) missed his fourth straight game as the team reportedly attempts to trade the disgruntled veteran.