Spurs Take Care of Some Business

San Antonio looked tired, and the win was more than just a little ugly. But the Spurs are moving on in the Western Conference playoffs and the Denver Nuggets are done.

Tony Parker scored 21 points, Tim Duncan had 18 points and 11 rebounds and the Spurs eliminated the Nuggets with a 99-89 victory Wednesday night. After dropping the first game in the best-of-seven series, the Spurs won four in a row.

San Antonio, which has lost only four times at home this season, moves on to a second-round matchup with Seattle.

“I’m going to enjoy this one tonight,” Spur Coach Gregg Popovich said. “Then tomorrow I’ll think about Seattle.”

After twice falling behind in the third, the Spurs slowly pulled away in the final quarter.

Glenn Robinson, waived by New Orleans in March and signed as a free agent last month, made a jump shot and then followed with a three-point basket that made it 80-72 with 7:35 to play. The lead reached as high as 12.

“It felt like Game 1 out there for a little while,” Spur forward Robert Horry said. “We were trading basket for basket for a little while, then we were able to get a few stops and get a lead.”

Manu Ginobili had 18 points and Horry scored 17, including two three-point baskets in the third for the Spurs.

“We got beat by a team with a foundation that’s very big,” Denver Coach George Karl said. “They’re strong, they’re winners and they’re hungry.”

The Nuggets couldn’t find the same momentum that won Game 1 and rallied them to overtime in a Game 4 loss on their home court.

Carmelo Anthony, who complained after Monday night’s loss that he didn’t get enough touches, finished with 25 points for Denver.

“All I can say is we competed until the last three or four minutes,” Anthony said. “There’s nothing to really say. I can’t hang my head.”