NBA: Denver 111, New York 104

DENVER, April 1 (UPI) -- The Denver Nuggets clinched a spot in the playoffs Tuesday by shooting a sizzling 54.8 percent from the field in a 111-104 victory over the New York Knicks.

Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points to lead Denver. Nene added 18 and a dozen rebounds, while J.R. Smith came off the bench to score 17 points.

New York also had a bench hero in Nate Robinson, who led all scorers with 30 points. Al Harrington added 23 points and David Lee 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The visiting Knicks, who shot 44.7 percent from the field, put together a 13-2 run in the fourth quarter to cut the Nuggets' lead to six points with 6 minutes to play, but could get no closer and went down for the ninth time in their last 10 games.

Denver was in command the entire game. A 17-0 run staked the Nuggets to a 34-22 lead after the first 12 minutes. They led 62-35 with less than 5 minutes left in the first half.