"It was a big game," Washington forward Antawn Jamison said with a big sigh. "It lets you know we've still got a long way to go before we can truly become contenders. We definitely knew that, but it's a disgrace to come in and play like this on our home floor."

The Suns shot a season-high 60.8 percent, had assists on 35 of their 48 field goals and had five players in double figures before halftime. Nash was 7-for-7 from the field and had eight assists in the first half.

"We'd rather play teams like that than sit down and play boring, slowdown basketball," Arenas said. "And tonight we got a chance to go up and down and let the horses go, and they beat us at their game."

Nuggets 117, SuperSonics 112

At Seattle, Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points in his second game back from suspension, Allen Iverson added 21 and Denver got two crucial 3-pointers from previously quiet Steve Blake. The Nuggets won their fifth consecutive game, and second in two nights with their two superstars together at last.

Ray Allen scored 44 points -- 22 in a frantic final period -- and Chris Wilcox added 25 for Seattle. But Allen's missed 3-pointer in the last 20 seconds denied the Sonics their final chance at what would have been a season-best four-game winning streak. Allen was 6-for-17 from 3-point range, 5-for-8 in the fourth quarter.

Anthony, the NBA's leading scorer, reached 30 points for the fourth time in five games spanning his just-completed 15-game suspension for fighting during a December brawl in New York. Iverson surpassed 20,000 points for his career, becoming the 30th player to reach the milestone.

76ers 102, Hornets 96

At Philadelphia, Kyle Korver scored 25 points, Andre Iguodala added 20 and the Sixers opened the second half of their season with a victory after going 11-30 over the first 41 games. Andre Miller had 17 points and 11 assists.

Bulls 94, Hawks 86

At Chicago, Luol Deng scored 18 points and Kirk Hinrich added 12 points and 12 assists for the Bulls, who have won nine straight over Atlanta. P.J. Brown scored a season-high 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

Joe Johnson had 29 points for the Hawks, who have lost three straight after winning three in a row.

Clippers 115, Bucks 96

At Los Angeles, Elton Brand had 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists against the injury-depleted Bucks. Brand scored 23 in the first half to help the Clippers win their third in a row. They handed Milwaukee its fourth consecutive loss and ninth in 11 games.

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