NUGGETS FLYING HIGH

Reserve J.R. Smith scored a season-high 41 points, hitting 10 3-pointers, to power the Denver Nuggets to a 124-104 win over the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA on Wednesday. Carmelo Anthony added 24 points for Denver, which won its sixth in a row at home to maintain a two-game lead in the Northwest Division. The victory was the first for Denver this season in six games missed by Chauncey Billups. Jamal Crawford scored 24 points for Atlanta, which fell 1-1/2 games behind Southeast Division leader Orlando. The Nuggets are now 21-8, first in their division and set to easily make the playoffs once again.