Nuggets top beat up Spurs

DENVER — This wasn't quite the test Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets had in mind.

With Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili all sidelined Tuesday night, the Denver Nuggets took advantage for a 104-96 win over the San Antonio Spurs after frittering away most of a 17-point lead.

Ginobili has a bruised hip, and coach Gregg Popovich said he decided to give Duncan and Parker the night off in Denver following the Spurs' overtime win at Golden State Monday night.

Anthony scored 35 points, but he had to come back into the game with 8:47 left and the Nuggets clinging to an 80-78 lead. His return had an immediate impact as he spaced the floor and the Nuggets suddenly had open looks and went on a 9-0 run.

Again, San Antonio's subs fought back, pulling to 98-94 with two minutes left on a 3-pointer by Roger Mason, who led the Spurs with 26 points.

CAVALIERS 101, RAPTORS 83: At Cleveland, LeBron James scored 33 and eclipsed 12,000 points for his career, and the Cleveland Cavaliers remained flawless on their floor by winning their 23rd straight home game. James became the fastest player in NBA history to reach the 12,000-point plateau. At 24 years, 35 days, he did it quicker than Los Angeles superstar Kobe Bryant, who was 25 years, 220 days, when he did it. Daniel Gibson scored 18 and Mo Williams 16 as the Cavaliers broke the club record for consecutive home wins set during the 1988-89 season. Chris Bosh scored 29 and Jermaine O'Neal 20 to pace Toronto.

CELTICS 100, 76ERS 99: At Philadelphia, Ray Allen took a perfect pass from Paul Pierce and buried a baseline 3-pointer with 0.5 seconds left to give the Celtics their 12th straight victory. Andre Iguodala had just hit a fallaway jumper for a 99-97 lead for the Sixers — who led the entire fourth quarter until the final basket. Kevin Garnett missed his second straight game with the flu. Pierce scored 29 points, Allen had 23 and Glen Davis had 12 points and 11 rebounds. Iguodala scored 22 points and Andre Miller had 21 for Philadelphia.

ROCKETS 107, BULLS 100: At Houston, Yao Ming scored 28 points, Luis Scola scored 13 points and matched a career high with 18 rebounds, and the Rockets beat Chicago. Aaron Brooks scored 18 and Tracy McGrady added 16 for the Rockets, who've won six straight and 11 of 12 against the Bulls.