Denver stellar against Sonics

SEATTLE – Allen Iverson scored 31 points, and the Denver Nuggets were nearly flawless on offense, scoring the most points in the NBA this season in a 138-96 rout of the Seattle SuperSonics on Wednesday night.

The Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak, shooting 67 percent– the best in franchise history. The previous best was nearly 30 years ago, when the Nuggets shot 66.7 percent against New Jersey early in the 1978 season. Denver also bettered the 66.2 percent shooting of the Lakers earlier this season, the previous best in the league.

The highest scoring game before Wednesday night came against Denver, when the Suns scored 137.

Playing a tired Seattle team certainly helped the Nuggets. The Sonics were finishing off a back-to-back, having played at Golden State a night earlier and offered little resistance at the defensive end.

With Denver trying to chase down a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference, games against teams like lowly Seattle are now must-wins. The Nuggets are a half game behind Golden State for eighth place in the West.

Kenyon Martin made 11 of 14 shots and scored 23 points, including a trio of dunks in the third quarter alone. Carmelo Anthony added 16 points and played just 30 minutes. Iverson shot 13 of 18.

Mickael Gelabale continued his strong play for Seattle, scoring 16 points. Rookie Kevin Durant continued to struggle with his shot, making just 4 of 17 attempts and scored 16 points.

Notes

Seattle G Earl Watson was out again with an illness. Coach P.J. Carlesimo was unsure if Watson would be available to play Friday against Miami. … Seattle G Luke Ridnour didn’t play in the second half after experiencing tightness in his right hamstring.