Role players spark Spurs' win

With one of the Spurs' stars out and another just returning from a four-game absence, the team's supporting cast became the guardian of the only perfect home record in the Western Conference on Saturday night in San Antonio.

They proved themselves equal to the task. Michael Finley and Fabricio Oberto each scored a season high 21 points to help the NBA champions beat the Denver Nuggets 102-91 and improve to 13-0 at home.

"Their role players beat us as much as anyone else," said Karl. "From (Brent) Barry to Finley to Oberto, they beat us as much as (Manu) Ginobili or (Tim) Duncan did."

Allen Iverson led the Nuggets with 30 points and Linas Kleiza had 16 points. Carmelo Anthony added 15 points and nine rebounds.

The Nuggets were without starter Kenyon Martin, who was suspended for one game after he was assessed a flagrant foul in the Nuggets' win Wednesday over New Orleans.

Oberto, who was 10-of-11 from the field, also had 13 rebounds for the Spurs.

"He had a great game, He usually doesn't go for numbers like that," said Marcus Camby, who had just four points and six rebounds for Denver. "We were so small with K-Mart being suspended, he (Oberto) was being played by a 6-7, 6-8 guy most of the night."

The Spurs, who had lost two in a row, saw the return of Duncan, who missed four games with a sprained right ankle.

"It was great to have him back," said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich. "Just having him on the court is a confidence builder for everybody."

Duncan, who had eight points in his return, said he wasn't yet "100 percent, but pretty close."

But Tony Parker sat out his second straight game for the Spurs with a sprained left ankle.

The Nuggets were up by nine early, but started to lose their offensive rhythm in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Spurs were moving the ball and finding open shots.

"We were in the basketball game," said Iverson, who said Martin's absence was a huge factor. "So we had our opportunities. But it just fell apart."