Smith returns, Nuggets still fall

Smith, who received a 10-game suspension for his role in a December 16th brawl with the Knicks at Madison Square Garden, scored 12 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Denver continues to play without star forward Carmelo Anthony, who is serving a 15-game suspension for his participation in the infamous brawl. Anthony is averaging a league-best 31.6 points per game.

Tim Duncan posted 19 points and 13 rebounds for the Spurs, who won their third straight. Manu Ginobili netted 16 points, while Bruce Bowen added 11.

Allen Iverson scored 33 points for the Nuggets, who have dropped six of seven. Earl Boykins netted 18, and Marcus Camby added nine points and 16 boards.

With Denver trailing by eight, Iverson drove in-and-out through the lane and scored on a one-handed layup, drawing the foul with 40.8 seconds left. He converted the three-point play, but Ginobili answered on a layup with 30.6 seconds remaining and Parker scored one with 22.1 seconds left to seal the win for San Antonio.

After San Antonio edged a one-point advantage after 12 minutes, Denver did one better in the second for a 49-48 halftime lead.

The Spurs outscored the Nuggets, 20-16, in the third to lead 68-65 heading into the final stanza.

Game Notes

This was the first meeting of the season between the squads...San Antonio has split its last four at Denver...The Nuggets have won four of their last seven in this series.