Martin leads Nuggets past Warriors into eighth place in West

Martin scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds Saturday night as the host Denver Nuggets took over eighth place in the Western Conference with a 119-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors, their fifth straight win.

 Carmelo Anthony scored 25 points for the Nuggets (45-28), who overcame a poor game by superstar Allen Iverson to switch places with the Warriors (44-28) in the race for the final playoff berth. Denver is one-half game behind seventh-place Dallas (44-27).

 "It doesn't make any difference," Warriors coach Don Nelson said. "You have got to win games whether you are in the eighth spot or scratching to get in it."

   Martin joined Lithuanian Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith as the only Nuggets to lead the team in scoring other than Iverson and Anthony. His best game of the season followed a fitful afternoon.

 "I couldn't sleep today. I couldn't get my nap," Martin said. "This was a playoff atmosphere. We needed this. We're trying to get in (the playoffs)."

   "Some nights, A.I. and Melo ain't gonna have it, so other guys have to step up," Nuggets guard Anthony Carter said.

 Martin made 12-of-21 shots, including a handful of mid-range jumpers, as he eclipsed his previous high of 24 points at Miami on February 12. His rebound total was his best in more than a month.

 "Kenyon was incredible," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "What he's done very well is he's learning how to get into the middle of the defence where he's powerful and effective."

   Denver's eighth straight home win was not easy. The Nuggets led by double digits for most of the first half but took just a 65-61 lead to halftime.

 Golden State missed its last seven shots of the third quarter, which ended with Denver holding an 88-86 lead. The Warriors missed four more shots to open the fourth quarter, with Smith and Kleiza combining for all the points in a 10-0 run.

 The lead grew to 12 points before Golden State pulled within three points on three occasions, the last at 113-110 with 1:59 left on two free throws by Stephen Jackson, who scored 25 points.

 Martin answered with perhaps his biggest shot, a jumper that beat the shot clock at the 1:11 mark. It was at least a two-possession game thereafter.

 "Kenyon Martin hit some big shots," Warriors guard Baron Davis sad. "Our shots went in and out."

   Smith scored 20 points and Mexico native Eduardo Najera added 11 for the Nuggets, who shot 46 per cent and had 36 assists. Iverson had 14 points, eight assists and seven rebounds but made just 4-of-20 shots.

 Davis scored 28 points, Monta Ellis added 22 and Latvia's Andris Biedrins had 17 and 17 rebounds for the Warriors, who shot 40 per cent and were out-rebounded, 58-51.

 The teams could switch spots a number of times before the season ends. The Warriors host Dallas on Sunday, visit San Antonio on Tuesday and Dallas on Wednesday. The Nuggets visit Phoenix on Monday and host Phoenix on Tuesday.

 "We can't relax. We've got Phoenix the next two games," Carter said.

 "I think Golden State plays Dallas tomorrow, so were gonna be watching that."

Elsewhere in the NBA:

Phoenix 110, New Jersey 104

   Amare Stoudemire had 33 points and 15 rebounds as visiting Phoenix (49-24) climbed into a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division. Vince Carter scored 32 points for New Jersey (31-43), which fell two games behind Atlanta for the final playoff spot in the East.

Detroit 85, Cleveland 71

   Richard Hamilton returned to the lineup after a three-game absence due to a sore hip and scored 14 points to lead five players in double figures for the Pistons, who have won six in a row at home. LeBron James made just 4-of-17 shots and scored 13 points - his lowest total since Opening Night - for Cleveland, which clinched a playoff berth with New Jersey's loss.

LA Clippers 110, Memphis 97

   Al Thornton erupted for 39 points - the most by any rookie this season - as the host Clippers stopped a 10-game losing streak. Rudy Gay scored 23 points for the Grizzlies.

Chicago 114, Milwaukee 111

   Rookie Joakim Noah had 18 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks as the host Bulls (29-44) held on and remained on the fringes of the East playoff race. Michael Redd scored 33 points for the Bucks, who have lost 12 of 14.

Charlotte 93, Portland 85

   Emeka Okafor scored 21 points as Charlotte completed a 3-1 road trip, the best in franchise history. Travis Outlaw scored 26 points for Portland, which was without injured All-Star Brandon Roy.

By Paul Levine, dpa