Suns Vs. Nuggets: J.R. Smith Scores 30 Points In Denver's 138-133 Victory Over Phoenix

With Carmelo Anthony playing only two minutes and then leaving the arena at halftime due to the flu, J.R. Smith took over the game and led the Denver Nuggets to a 138-133 victory over the Phoenix Suns in the Pepsi Center. Smith finished with 30 points, but it was the way he put up the points that is most impressive. He went 6-of-11 from beyond the arc, and Chauncey Billups was 4-of-6 shooting treys. As a team, the Nuggets shot 53.3 percent. As Benjamin Hochman tweeted during the game, it was as if we were watching a live version of NBA Jam.

The Phoenix Suns put up a final charge in the fourth quarter, but their 44 points then were just a bit too few to overcome the Nuggets. Steve Nash missed a critical three-point shot with 17 seconds left that would have tied the game. Jason Richardson put up 39 points and 10 rebounds. The Suns' bench scored 48 points.

The Nuggets' bench was key to this victory. Besides Smith's 30 points, Gary Forbes and Ty Lawson each added 15 points. Chris Andersen scored three and Al Harrington put up seven points to complete the bench's 70 points. Chauncey Billups returned to the starting lineup and had 25 points and eight assists. Nene added 12 points and a team-high nine rebounds. Power forward Shelden Williams broke out for 14 points and seven rebounds.

The Denver Nuggets improved to 10-6 and will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7:00 p.m MT.

Suns Vs Nuggets: Can Denver Make Up For Its Loss In Phoenix?

(Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets attempt to avenge an earlier loss this season to the Phoenix Suns when the two Western Conference inhabitants clash tonight at the Pepsi Center.

The Nuggets, who will continue a five-game homestand tonight, suffered a 100-94 loss at Phoenix on Nov. 15. Carmelo Anthony finished with 20 points and 22 rebounds in that one, as Denver dropped its fourth straight matchup with the Suns. The Nuggets have now lost 12 straight in the desert, but are 5-1 in the previous six meetings with Phoenix in the Rocky Mountains.

Denver has won three straight overall and four of five games since that setback in the Valley of the Sun, and is coming off Friday's 98-97 win over the Chicago Bulls thanks to Anthony's jump shot at the buzzer. He ended with 22 points, eight assists and six rebounds, while Nene tallied 18 points and seven rebounds.

"This team, Chicago, the thing right now, I think they're probably the hardest playing team in the league," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Play hard makes good things happen. Play hard can pick your team up when you have your best player not playing and almost win a game. I'm not sure they weren't the best team on the court tonight. We were more fortunate probably than good."

Karl's team squandered a 59-40 lead early in the fourth quarter, but was able to score the game's final four points after falling behind 97-94. The Nuggets held on for the win even though Chicago was playing without All-Star guard Derrick Rose. Denver didn't have Chauncey Billups either because of a broken nose and sprained wrist. He is questionable for today and has missed 12 games since coming to Denver in a trade with Detroit on Nov. 3, 2008.

Denver will also host the Bucks, Clippers and Grizzlies on the residency and is 6-1 in the Rocky Mountains this season.

Meanwhile, the Suns will hit the road for a quick trek against Denver and Golden State, and sport a 4-5 ledger outside of Phoenix this season.

The Suns have won two of three games since a three-game slide and posted a 116-108 home triumph versus the Clippers on Friday. Jason Richardson had 29 points, including five three-pointers, and Hakim Warrick came off the bench to score 25 points for Phoenix, which rolled out to a 42-21 lead after the first quarter and got 16 points and 10 assists from Steve Nash.

"Once again we got off to a great start," Phoenix head coach Alvin Gentry said. "We just have to find a way to maintain a little bit. We're not going to play at that level though, we're not going to end up with 168 points, but we have to play a little more consistently than what we are doing."

Phoenix's Robin Lopez did not suit up because of a sprained MCL and PCL. His return is unknown. The Suns scored a season-high 67 first-half points.