BOX SCORE
The Sixers' unbeaten home record (6-0) was on the line Wednesday against a Nuggets team that was .500 on the road and had scored impressive victories over the likes of the Mavericks and Lakers to arrive at their overall record of 9-5.
The game was true entertainment with big plays made by both teams. There were six lead changes in the fourth quarter and twice the score was tied, but the Sixers ultimately lost their first home game of the season, 108-104 in overtime.
After Andre Miller missed a three at the buzzer, the Sixers headed to their first overtime game of the season, tied at 96. Millers miss came after Andre Iguodala went 1 for 2 at the line with four seconds left in regulation.
But Miller would have his moment in the sun against his former team, giving Denver a 106-104 lead with 42.9 seconds left in OT.
A missed Lou Williams three-pointer and a Jrue Holiday turnover followed on the Sixers' next two possessions as they fell to 10-4 overall.
Evan Turner had his best game as a pro and Iguodala, who struggled from the field, still finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds to go along with nine assists.
NBA
Injuries
Neither team had their starting center. Spencer Hawes missed his second game of the season because of a left Achilles strain while a lower left back strain kept the Nuggets' Timofey Mozgov off the floor.
Rookie Nik Vucevic got his first NBA start in place of Hawes. Vucevic played just 12 minutes.
Turning point
The Sixers used a 13-0 run from 8:42 remaining in the fourth quarter to the 5:38 mark to take an 85-82 lead. It was their first lead since 43-41.
Follow the leader
Miller was for the Nuggets what he often was for the Sixers in his two-plus seasons playing in Philadelphia -- crafty to score the basketball, see the floor and get to the backboard.
Miller led Denver with 28 points off the bench to go along with 10 assists and eight rebounds. His performance included a three-pointer, a three-point play, a floater and a layup in traffic in the closing two minutes.
Miller's lone basket in overtime put his team ahead for good.
For the Sixers, Thaddeus Young found his offense after going 1 for 8 on Monday. He had a team-high 22 points.
Stat-egic
The Sixers shot 52 percent from the field in the first quarter, then 36 percent in the second and third quarter combined.
Denvers story was the opposite. The Nuggets shot 36 percent in the first quarter followed by 56 percent (22 for 39) over the next two quarters.
Take a bow
Turner returned to action after missing one game because of a right thigh contusion and was tremendous. He had three drives to the basket in the second half that drew "and-one" whistles. He converted two of the three and finished with 20 points and 11 rebounds
Whats next?
The Atlanta Hawks come to town Friday. They are currently 10-4, playing the Portland Trail Blazers at home Wednesday. In the first quarter on Jan. 11, Al Horford suffered a torn left pectoral and will likely miss the rest of the season. Horford was averaging 12 points and seven rebounds and is considered the Hawks' glue.
However, the Hawks have surprised some, winning their last three games without Horford.
Josh Smith has been key for Atlanta, averaging 17 points and nine rebounds. Former Sixer Willie Green joined the Hawks roster after the lockout ended.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com.