• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Iverson, Nuggets use big first quarter to crush Raptors

Mar 15, 2008 - 5:28 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- All-Star Allen Iverson scored 28 points to lead a balanced attack for the Denver Nuggets in Friday's convincing 137-105 victory over the shorthanded Toronto Raptors.

Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and Marcus Camby contributed 17 and 10 rebounds to help the Nuggets (39-26) draw within 1 1/2 games of the idle Golden State Warriors (40-24) for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference.

"We wanted to jump on them from the start," said Iverson, who had five assists and two steals. "The sky is the limit for us. We have a lot of people who can score."

Denver wasted no time taking control of this one as Iverson poured in 13 first-quarter points to help create an eye-popping 44-23 advantage after one period.

The Nuggets, who have won five consecutive contests at home, shot an impressive 72 percent (16-of-22) from the floor and never looked back thereafter.

"When we pass, share, and move the ball, we play real good offense," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "We played some real good defense as well."

It was Toronto's seventh defeat in nine games without All-Star forward Chris Bosh, whose been out since February 9 due to a knee injury.

"We need to get back to our roots," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell said. "We aren't guarding anybody. We have just got to find guys that are more committed to playing defense."

Anthony Parker had 19 points and Carlos Delfino chipped in 16 for the Raptors, who fell to 0-3 on their five-game tour of the Western Conference.

"Denver basically did whatever they wanted and that was the difference," Parker said. "We never adjusted all night."