NBA: Denver 100, San Antonio 77

SAN ANTONIO, April 19 (UPI) -- Reggie Evans had 19 points and 20 rebounds Wednesday as Denver trounced San Antonio 100-77.

Denver opened a nine-point lead (25-16) after the first quarter, but led only 46-40 at the half. The Nuggets widened their lead to 81-62 entering the fourth quarter after outscoring San Antonio 33-22 in the third.

Denver's lead grew to as many as 27 points before the game ended.

Linas Kleiza and J.R. Smith both scored 17 points, while Steve Blake had 16 points and eight assists for Denver. Yahkouba Diawara added 12 points for the Nuggets, who rested Allen Iverson, Nene, Marcus Camby and Carmelo Anthony while firming up the sixth seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

Beno Udrih scored a team-high 13 points for the Spurs and Melvin Ely scored 11 points. Jackie Butler and James White added 10 points apiece for the Spurs, who will be the West's third seed.

They played without Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobli.