Spurs easily spoil Iverson’s return

The San Antonio Spurs returned home for the first time in more than three weeks on Tuesday night in a 95-80 victory that spoiled Allen Iverson’s return to the Denver Nuggets.

Tony Parker scored 17 points for the Spurs, who broke the game open with a 30-10 third quarter.

“It was very important to establish not only a win here, but to come home and have a good game,” said Tim Duncan after a 4-4 trip.

Iverson missed nine of the Nuggets’ last 10 games before the All-Star break because of a right ankle sprain. He scored nine points on Tuesday.

Carmelo Anthony led Denver with 15 points, combining for only 24 with Iverson. Their previous low when playing together was 49.

It was the Spurs’ third straight victory. It was Denver’s second loss in a row.

Chicago 106, Atlanta 81 -- The Bulls held the Hawks without a field goal in a 28-8 third quarter of a victory at Chicago.

It was a first for the Bulls, who held New York to one basket in 1999. The Hawks were 0 for 16 in the quarter.

Chris Duhon had 17 points for Chicago. Hawks leading scorer Joe Johnson was held to nine points on two-for-12 shooting.

New York 100, Orlando 94 -- The Knicks surpasses last season’s victory total with their 24th win at New York.

Jamal Crawford and Eddy Curry scored 20 points apiece for New York. Dwight Howard had 27 points and 14 rebounds for Orlando.

Detroit 84, Milwaukee 83 -- Leading scorer Michael Redd’s return to the lineup was spoiled at Milwaukee as the Bucks blew an 11-point fourth-quarter lead.

Milwaukee still had a chance to win it but Mo Williams missed a tough layup in the final seconds.

Chauncey Billups scored 19 points for Detroit. Redd, sidelined since Jan. 5 by a knee injury, had 17 points.

Portland 103, Utah 100 -- Brandon Roy scored 27 points to help the Trail Blazers beat the Jazz for the first time in their last six meetings and end their six-game winning streak.

Derek Fisher had 20 points and 10 assists for Utah, which didn’t go down until Mehmet Okur missed two three-pointers in the final seconds.

Sacramento 104, Boston 101 -- Kevin Martin scored 22 points at Sacramento and the Kings handed the Celtics their 19th loss in their last 20 games despite only one field goal and five points in the final 9:37. Paul Pierce scored 26 points for Boston.

Seattle 121, Memphis 105 -- Rashard Lewis had his best game since recently returning from a 22-game absence because of a wrist injury, scoring 21 of his 34 points in the first half of the host SuperSonics’ third straight victory. Mike Miller led the Grizzlies with 20 points.

Washington 112, Minnesota 100 -- Gilbert Arenas, who has struggled this month, made only one of eight three-point attempts while making 12 of 24 shots overall to finish with 38 points as the Wizards led from start to finish at Washington.

Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota, losers of five straight road games.

Charlotte 104, New Orleans 100 -- Raymond Felton had 21 points and 11 assists and outplayed Chris Paul (20 points and seven assists) in a battle of second-year point guards to lead the host Bobcats in a game that included a shoving match and five technical fouls.

Jake Voskuhl fouled Paul on a drive in the third quarter and kept Paul’s arm pinned. Paul lunged at Voskuhl before throwing the ball at his shoulder.