Nuggets Stay in the Hunt

Denver’s reserves kept the Nuggets within reach of the final Western Conference playoff spot.

Carmelo Anthony had 25 points and a key steal in the closing seconds, and backup Earl Boykins had 21 points to lift the Nuggets to a 101-92 victory Wednesday night over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver.

Denver made up for 36.8% shooting by pushing the pace at every opportunity and finishing with only six turnovers -- none in the first half. The Nuggets moved a half-game ahead of Utah for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.

“I thought we played desperately today,” Nugget Coach Jeff Bzdelik said. “That’s how we have to play. We scored 101 points and only shot 37 [36.8%]. We had a good pace to the game.”

Boykins picked up the slack when Voshon Lenard left in the second quarter because of bruised ribs and forward Chris Andersen played with his usual scrappiness after sitting out six games because of a knee injury. Jon Barry and Rodney White had 10 points each, giving the Nuggets a season-high 48 from the reserves.

Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota.

Indiana 103, Dallas 99 -- Ron Artest had 20 points, eight rebounds and eight steals at Indianapolis to help the Pacers win without Jermaine O’Neal (knee) in a game featuring nine technical fouls. Indiana is 3-0 without O’Neal this season.

Austin Croshere proved pivotal for the Pacers, scoring 11 of his 16 points in the final period.

Dirk Nowitzki had 22 points for Dallas, which played without Michael Finley (calf) and fell from fifth to sixth in the Western Conference.

Memphis 111, New York 97 -- Pau Gasol had 23 points, and the Grizzlies scored 27 points off 16 first-half turnovers at New York to help them to a league-best 21-5 record since Feb. 1.

Stephon Marbury had 23 points for New York.

Houston 90, Toronto 89 -- Yao Ming had 27 points and 17 rebounds, but the Rockets’ overtime victory wasn’t secured until Donyell Marshall missed a layup at the buzzer.

Vince Carter scored 26 points for the Raptors.

Miami 105, Orlando 90 -- Eddie Jones scored 17 of his 28 points in a third quarter at Orlando, Fla., as the Heat won its season-best sixth in a row.

Orlando’s Tracy McGrady had 18 points in his return from a two-game absence after the death of a great-grandmother.

Philadelphia 99, Phoenix 94 -- Samuel Dalembert had 23 points and 14 rebounds at Philadelphia to help the 76ers win for the sixth time in their last seven games without Allen Iverson (knee). Joe Johnson had 27 points for Phoenix.

Seattle 84, Utah 77 -- Ray Allen scored 18 of his 26 points in the third quarter at Seattle as the SuperSonics won their sixth in a row.

Andrei Kirilenko had 16 points for Utah.

Golden State 98, Milwaukee 89 -- Cliff Robinson scored 18 points and matched his career high with nine assists at Oakland to lead the Warriors.

Michael Redd had 24 points for Milwaukee.