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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Nuggets too much for Spurs


Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, right, collides with San Antonio Spurs guard Bruce Bowen during the first quarter of a Denver victory. 
 (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)
Associated Press

Marcus Camby had 15 points, 10 rebounds, eight blocks and five assists to help the Nuggets beat the San Antonio Spurs 102-84 on Friday night in Denver, the teams 16th victory in 18 games.

Denver played without power forward Kenyon Martin (ribs) for the third straight game, then lost guard Greg Buckner to a broken hand in the second quarter.

But Denver got out to a big lead early, held on through a difficult third quarter, then pulled away to extend its best stretch since going 15-2 in 1988.

Earl Boykins had 23 points, and Carmelo Anthony added 18 for Denver.

Mavericks 100, Sixers 83: At Philadelphia, Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points, going 14 for 14 from the foul line, and former Philadelphia player Keith Van Horn added 15 points to help Dallas clinch a playoff spot with a victory over the 76ers. Allen Iverson scored 22 points for the 76ers before sitting out the fourth quarter because of a strained groin.

Celtics 116, Hawks 100: At Atlanta, Ricky Davis scored a season-high 36 points, including 20 in the second period, and Boston beat Atlanta to end a four-game losing streak. The Celtics shot 69 percent from the field in the first half and 60 percent overall.

Wizards 111, Magic 102: At Orlando, Fla., Gilbert Arenas scored 31 points, and Larry Hughes added 30 as Washington withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally to hold off Orlando for the victory. The Wizards led by 24 points to start the final period.

Raptors 119, Bobcats 107: At Charlotte, N.C., Chris Bosh scored 27 points and Jalen Rose had 23 to help Toronto defeat Charlotte. Emeka Okafor had 29 points and 14 rebounds – his 39th double-double – for the Bobcats.

Pistons 97, Clippers 84: At Auburn Hills, Mich., Tayshaun Prince scored 23 points to help defending NBA champion Detroit clinch a playoff spot in coach Larry Brown’s return. Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman missed the game for the Clippers game because of back injuries.

Nets 93, Knicks 91: At New York, Vince Carter scored 31 points and New Jersey beat New York to move within a half-game of eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Jason Kidd added 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Nets. Stephon Marbury led the Knicks with 26 points.

Kings 128, Cavaliers 109: At Cleveland, Peja Stojakovic, Cuttino Mobley and Mike Bibby each scored 22 points in Sacramento’s highest-scoring game of the season. LeBron James had 35 points for Cleveland.

Hornets 76, Rockets 73: At Houston, Lee Nailon scored 16 points and former Gonzaga Bulldog Dan Dickau added 14, helping New Orleans rally from an 18-point second-half deficit to top Houston. Houston center Yao Ming sat out the game with a sore right calf, only the second time he’s missed a game in his three-year career.

Grizzlies 93, Bucks 82: At Milwaukee, Pau Gasol scored 20 points, and Shane Battier added 18 to help Memphis defeat Milwaukee and snap a three-game losing streak.

Suns 107, Timberwolves 98: At Phoenix, Steve Nash scored 12 of his 28 points in the last 9 minutes and Phoenix snapped Minnesota’s five-game winning streak, delivering a blow to the Timberwolves’ last-ditch attempt to make the playoffs.

Warriors 108, Jazz 91: At Salt Lake City, Derek Fisher scored 19 points, and Golden State won in Utah for the first time in more than 10 years by beating the Jazz.