HOUSTON — Danilo Gallinari scored 23 points and the Denver Nuggets never trailed in a 105-85 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night in the season opener for both teams.

The Nuggets were up by nine points with about 9 minutes remaining when they used a 6-0 run — with four points from Emmanuel Mudiay — to extend the lead to 85-72 and send fans streaming to the exits.

James Harden led Houston with 22 points, but made just 6 of 21 shots and was 2 of 12 from 3-point range.

Two free throws by Harden cut the lead to six late in the third quarter before Denver closed out the period with seven straight points, highlighted by a 3-pointer by Gallinari to make it 76-63.

Kenneth Faried added 18 points and nine rebounds for Denver while Mudiay had 17 points but also committed 11 turnovers.

The Nuggets scored 26 points off 16 turnovers by Houston.