Final
Iverson dishes and swishes as Nuggets top Suns
Mar 18, 2007 - 8:44 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- Allen Iverson kept the Phoenix Suns in a daze.Iverson collected 44 points and a season-high 15 assists and Carmelo Anthony added 29 and eight rebounds as the Denver Nuggets posted their fourth straight win, a 131-107 drubbing of the Suns.
Nene collected 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who shot a blistering 57 percent (51-of-89) from the field and dished out 35 assists.
Playing its best basketball of the season, Denver will look to keep it going on a tough five-game road trip.
"This is a big road trip for us," Anthony said. "We're playing four of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. Hopefully, we can take this momentum and this confidence that we have and take it on our road trip. What you've seen the last four games is what everybody's been looking for since (Iverson) came here in the trade. Finally, we're starting to jell right now."
Iverson has shown a different side of his game during the first three games of the winning streak. The four-time scoring champion, who has been maligned for his penchant dominate the ball in years past, has decided to be a playmaker - averaging 10.0 assists in the last three contests.
"Anytime AI gets 10 assists, we are in good shape," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "He continued to be a playmaker on Saturday but complemented his passing with a remarkable offensive game, shooting 16-of-22 from the floor, including 2-of-3 on 3-pointers, and 10-of-12 from the free-throw line.
"(When you are in the zone) You just want to get one up," Iverson said. "You just want to get the shots off and make a lot of shots. The whole thing is trying to get some space just to get the shot off. When you're in the zone it doesn't matter if guys are on you or anything, you just feel good. It feels like throwing rocks in the ocean."
Iverson torched the sluggish Suns, who have lost two straight games after a wild 129-127 double-overtime victory on Thursday over league-leading Dallas (53-11). Phoenix (50-16) now is four games back for the top spot in the Western Conference and the NBA's best record.
"(A hangover) is possible," Suns forward Shawn Marion said. "A loss is a loss. We're trying to get ready for the playoffs. You can't sit here and dwell on one game. You just take it as it is."
Despite winning the last two games in Denver, Amare Stoudemire felt the "Mile High City" had an effect on the team.
"We had an altitude issue," Stoudemire said. " It caught us off guard this time. I don't really have an answer for that question (why it did not happen in previous meetings)."
Anthony shot 13-of-20 from the field and Nene was an efficient 5-of-7.
"I hope so (he and Iverson are jelling)," Anthony said. "The last four games, that's what has been happening. Before these last four games you've seen signs of us when we do get it going how good it's going to be."
Leandro Barbosa scored 25 points on 10-of-19 shooting for the Suns, who shot 44 percent (40-of-90).
- NBA
PHOENIX 107
DENVER 131 FINAL
Mar 18 12:20 AM - NBA
PHOENIX 73
DENVER 111 END, 3RD QTR
Mar 17 11:53 PM - NBA
PHOENIX 44
DENVER 70 HALFTIME
Mar 17 11:11 PM - NBA
PHOENIX 25
DENVER 37 END, 1ST QTR
Mar 17 10:39 PM
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