Nuggets rout Mavs in Western showdown
DENVER (AP)—The Denver Nuggets gave notice of their NBA Western Conference credentials by routing the Southwest Division-leading Dallas Mavericks 127-91 on Tuesday, notching their biggest win of the season.
The 36-point victory margin, in a clash of last season’s semifinal round combatants, surpassed the Nuggets’ previous high of 28 points, which they achieved twice in wins against Toronto and New Jersey in November.
Carmelo Anthony(notes) scored 19 points in his return from eight games out with an ankle injury, while Nene got 21 points to lead the Nuggets, who have won 23 of 27 at home.
Dallas, losing to Denver for the sixth time in seven, was led by Dirk Nowitzki’s(notes) 17 points.
Thunder 89, Trail Blazers 77
In Portland, Oregon, Kevin Durant(notes) had 33 points and 11 rebounds to help Oklahoma City extend its season-high winning streak to six games with a victory over Portland.
It’s the 25th straight game that Durant has scored 25 or more points—the longest streak since Allen Iverson(notes) did it in 27 consecutive games during the 2000-01 season.
Jeff Green(notes) scored 17 points as Oklahoma City ended a four-game losing streak to Portland.
Andre Miller(notes) scored 22 points to lead the Trail Blazers, who committed 24 turnovers and shot only .403.
Hawks 108, Grizzlies 94
In Memphis, Tennessee, Jamal Crawford(notes) scored 28 points, including fourth 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, to help Atlanta pull away from Memphis.
Crawford scored 14 points in the final period, and was 5 of 7 from 3-point range in the game.
Josh Smith(notes) added 17 for the Hawks, who snapped a three-game road losing steak and closed back within a game of Orlando in the fight for leadership of the Southeast Division.
All-Star forward Zach Randolph(notes) had 20 points for Memphis, which enters the All-Star break on a four-game losing steak.
Jazz 109, Clippers 99
In Los Angeles, Utah won its ninth straight, downing Los Angeles.
Carlos Boozer(notes) had 34 points and 14 rebounds, going 13 for 17 from the field. First-time All-Star Deron Williams(notes) added 13 points and 11 assists.
Chris Kaman(notes), who was named to his first All-Star game on Sunday, had 19 points and seven rebounds for the Clippers, who have lost seven of eight.
Heat 99, Rockets 66
In Miami, the hosts raced to their biggest halftime lead of the season and emphatically ended a run of five straight defeats by routing Houston.
The Heat shot 13 for 15 during a 9-1/2-minute stretch in the first half and led 56-31 at halftime.
Dwyane Wade(notes) had 17 points and seven assists before sitting out the fourth quarter.
The Rockets shot just 30 percent, including 4 for 18 from 3-point range, and their point total was a season low. Luis Scola(notes) led with only 12 points.
Cavaliers 104, Nets 97
In Cleveland, LeBron James(notes) scored 32 points to lead Cleveland to its 12th straight win, downing hapless New Jersey in a mismatch of the league’s best and worst teams.
The win gives Cleveland the longest winning streak in the NBA this season. James was 13-of-21 from the field with 11 assists and three rebounds. Jawad Willams scored a career-high 17 points.
New Jersey lost their seventh straight despite 24 points from Courtney Lee(notes).
Bulls 109, Pacers 101
In Indianapolis, Luol Deng(notes) had 23 points and 11 rebounds to lead Chicago over Indiana.
Derrick Rose(notes) and John Salmons(notes) each scored 21 for the Bulls, who shot 51 percent from the field.
Danny Granger(notes) had 27 points and 10 rebounds for the Pacers, who blew a five-point lead by shooting just 33 percent in the fourth quarter.
Bobcats 94 Wizards 92
In Charlotte, South Carolina, Raymond Felton(notes) hit a fadeaway 12-footer with 1.9 seconds left to lift Charlotte past Washington.
Antawn Jamison(notes) missed a scoop shot in the key at the buzzer for the Wizards.
Stephen Jackson(notes) scored 22 points for Charlotte, which won its first game in four.
Pistons 93, Bucks 81
In Milwaukee, Tayshaun Prince(notes), Rodney Stuckey(notes) and Ben Gordon(notes) scored 18 points each to lead Detroit over Milwaukee.
Leading 64-62 going into the fourth, the Bucks tied it twice before a 16-6 run turned the game decisively in the Pistons’ favor.
Brandon Jennings(notes) scored 18 points for the Bucks.
Kings 118, Knicks 114, OT
In New York, Tyreke Evans(notes) led a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback before Sacramento beat New York in overtime, ending a six-game losing skid.
Evans finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, scoring 12 points in the final 7 minutes of regulation after the Knicks had built a 15-point lead.
Kevin Martin(notes) scored nine of his 17 points in overtime for the Kings.
Wilson Chandler(notes) scored a career-high 35 points for the Knicks, who have lost three straight.
76ers 119, Timberwolves 97
In Philadelphia, the hosts got a strong performance from the bench to defeat Minnesota.
Andre Iguodala(notes) scored 24 points and Elton Brand(notes) added 21. Missing Allen Iverson, who has been out for four games to tend to his ill daughter, the Sixers saw four bench players score nine points or better to help record a fifth straight win.
The game was played before a sparse crowd who braved the area’s second major snowstorm in less than a week.
Wayne Ellington(notes) led Minnesota with 16 points.
Mavs Moneyball
Denver Stiffs
