Anthony, Nuggets hold off Lakers for 98-96 win with Bryant sitting out

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Nuggets hold off Lakers for 4th straight win

DENVER — Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points and had a game-saving block at the buzzer, helping the Denver Nuggets hold on for a 98-96 win over a Los Angeles Lakers team playing without Kobe Bryant on Thursday night.

With time winding down, Anthony stuffed Derek Fisher’s shot as Denver won its fourth straight.

The slumping Lakers gave Bryant the night off to rest a swollen right knee and an aching right index finger. Los Angeles has now dropped four of its last five games, but remains in control for the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. The Lakers need just one more win in their last four to wrap it up. Either that or a Denver loss.

J.R. Smith came off the bench to score 26 points, including five 3-pointers, while Chauncey Billups added 12.

The Lakers were led by Paul Gasol, who finished with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

The Nuggets took advantage of the Bryant-less Lakers, racing out to a 15-point lead in the third quarter. But it didn’t last as the Lakers came roaring back, reclaiming the lead.

However, Nene’s free throw with 1:22 remaining put Denver ahead for good.

Not that there wasn’t plenty of drama at the finish.

Like, for instance, the deflection call the Lakers felt went the wrong way.

With about 18 seconds left and Denver clinging to a one-point lead, Shannon Brown swatted away a shot by Smith, grabbing the rebound and sending an outlet pass to Fisher.

But Billups broke it up, with the ball glancing off Fisher’s fingers before going out of bounds.

The officials ruled it Nuggets ball, and upheld the decision after glancing at the monitor.

Smith made one of two free throws to extend the lead to 98-96. Fisher had a chance to tie, but Anthony blocked his shot.

In the process, though, Anthony twisted his ankle. As the Nuggets celebrated, Anthony hopped around the court in pain.

With the win, Denver moved a full game in front of the Utah Jazz for the Northwest Division lead. The Nuggets also remained in contention for the second seed, staying in a tight race with Phoenix, Dallas and Utah.

Anthony showed no effects from the knock he took the night before in Oklahoma City. The All-Star forward rammed head first into Kevin Durant’s chest in the third quarter, momentarily blacking out. Anthony returned in time to help the Nuggets rally for the win over the Thunder.

Smith was on target most of the night, hitting 5 of 11 shots from 3-point range. His long jumper late in the second quarter was a significant one, sending him past Michael Adams for the franchise’s all-time lead in 3-pointers made. Smith celebrated by skipping down the court.

Chris Andersen returned to action Thursday after missing the last two games with a sprained left ankle. The forward who provides a burst of energy off the bench finished with seven boards and two blocks in more than 25 minutes.

Before the contest, Lakers coach Phil Jackson hinted he may try to rest Bryant with the playoffs looming.

The Cavaliers took a similar approach earlier Thursday, resting LeBron James against Chicago with the league’s best record already secured.

Bryant has quite a bit of company when it comes to bumps and bruises. Ron Artest has been playing with a bruised left heel and a sprained left thumb, while Brown has a sprained right thumb and Sasha Vujacic a sprained right shoulder.

Artest had 22 points against Denver, while Brown contributed 12 off the bench.

Andrew Bynum remains sidelined with a strained left Achilles’. Bynum said before the game that he’s steadily progressing, bu doesn’t know when he will be back. He injured the tendon on March 19 against Minnesota.

Jackson said he doesn’t want to rush Bynum back too soon, even if it means resting him into the playoffs.

NOTES: Nuggets F Joey Graham didn’t play in the second half after spraining his left ankle. … Nuggets F Kenyon Martin hopes to return as soon as Saturday from a left knee injury that has sidelined him for the last five weeks. … Lakers F Lamar Odom grabbed 13 boards.