Cavs lose

Allen Iverson leads Denver Nuggets to a win over the Cleveland team

DENVER: The Denver Nuggets eased to a 122-100 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday, Allen Iverson leading the way with a season-high 37 points as the hosts stretched their winning streak to three games.

Iverson put the Nuggets (5-3) in command with 18 first-half points, then stretched Denver’s lead to 76-49 with 11 more in the first five minutes of the third quarter.

“We jumped on them right from the beginning. We should try to do that every game,” Iverson said. He connected on 14-of-20 field goal attempts to go with eight assists and two steals.

“The basket was like the ocean and I was throwing rocks,” Iverson said. JR Smith was almost as productive, adding 29 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the floor as the Nuggets hit 55 percent of their shots.

Carmelo Anthony added 22 points and nine rebounds to move 6-2 ahead in games won against Cleveland ace LeBron James.

“Any time I can win, that’s fun,” Anthony said. “Whether it’s against him or anybody.” James led Cleveland (4-4) with 27 points, going nine-of-16 from the floor.

Cavaliers guard Larry Hughes was ejected in the first half after arguing with referees.  The 122 points were the most scored against the Cavaliers in Mike Brown’s three seasons as coach.

“Denver did whatever they wanted to defensively and they did whatever they wanted to do offensively,” Brown said.