DENVER (AP) – Kenneth Faried scored 22 points and had 17 rebounds and the Denver Nuggets opened the season Wednesday night with an 89-79 win over Detroit, spoiling the debut of Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy.
Aaron Afflalo, in his second tour with Denver after being acquired in an offseason trade with Orlando, had 15 points. Timofey Mozgov added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Nuggets, coming off a 36-46 campaign marked by losses of key players to injuries, including Danilo Gallinari, JaVale McGee, J.J. Hickson and Nate Robinson, though all four are healthy now.
Josh Smith, Detroit’s leading scorer last season, had 25 points to lead the Pistons. D.J. Augustin added 15 points.
The Pistons managed only one basket in the last three minutes.
BRONCOS-MISSING FAN
Missing Broncos fan says he had ‘fill of football’
DENVER (AP) – The Kremmling man who disappeared during last week’s Denver Broncos game told police he had “his fill of football” and walked and hitchhiked about 130 miles to Pueblo.
Paul Kitterman was found safe Tuesday night in Pueblo after police got a tip that he was in the city. Police Sgt. Franklyn Ortega says the 53-year-old looked tired but was otherwise unharmed.
Kitterman told police that he hadn’t watched television in several days and wasn’t aware that people were looking for him.
He was last seen leaving his seat at halftime at Thursday’s game against the San Diego Chargers at Sports Authority Field.
His stepson, Jarod Tonneson, reported him missing, and friends and family scoured the stadium and searched Denver for him. The family has asked for privacy.
SEAHAWKS-LINEBACKERS
Seattle expected to start Coyle at LB
RENTON, Wash. (AP) – Undrafted rookie Brock Coyle is expected to start at middle linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks this week against Oakland.
Seattle linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. said Wednesday the job was Coyle’s “to lose,” but the coaching staff could change its mind before Sunday. Coyle’s representatives first tweeted congratulations about their client getting his first start.
Seattle has been without starting middle linebacker Bobby Wagner since he suffered a toe injury against Dallas. K.J. Wright moved from the outside to the middle for the past two games against St. Louis and Carolina.
Coyle got plenty of experience playing middle linebacker during the preseason when Wagner was out with a hamstring injury. Coyle has appeared in all seven games this season.
