NBA: Denver 102, San Antonio 84

DENVER, April 2 (UPI) -- Earl Boykins contributed 23 points Friday night in carrying Denver to a surprisingly easy 102-84 win over San Antonio.

The Spurs had won three straight without superstar Tim Duncan, who is recovering from a badly sprained ankle. But San Antonio shot just 32 percent from the field in falling two games behind Phoenix for the best record in the Western Conference.

Denver jumped to a 13-point lead after one period and when the Spurs were unable to make a late run, Coach Gregg Popovich rested his starters through most of the fourth period.

The Nuggets maintained a tie with Memphis for seventh place in the West.

Carmelo Anthony added 18 for the Nuggets while Tony Parker led San Antonio with 17.

Denver is 22-6 since Coach George Karl took over the team.