DENVER (AP) — J.R. Smith scored a season-high 30 points and the Denver Nuggets overcame the absence of Carmelo Anthony to hold off the Phoenix Suns 138-133 Sunday night in the highest scoring game of the season.
Chauncey Billups returned to the lineup after missing three games with a sprained right wrist and scored 25 points and eight assists for the Nuggets.
Anthony was feeling ill Friday against Chicago but played anyway and hit the winner in the final seconds. Sunday he lasted just 2:48 before sitting down for good.
Jason Richardson did his best to keep Phoenix in it with 39 points, and Steve Nash had 17 points and 11 assists.
Nash missed a 3-pointer with 17.8 seconds left that would have tied the game.
