J.R. Smith scored 30 points off the bench and Chauncey Billups added 25 and eight assists as the Denver Nuggets outlasted the Phoenix Suns, 138-133, on Sunday.

Aaron Afflalo, Ty Lawson and Gary Forbes chipped in 15 points apiece for the Nuggets, who only got two points and three minutes out of Carmelo Anthony due to illness.

Denver scored the first 10 points of the game and kept the margin from there, leading 31-22 after the first quarter and 68-57 at the half.

The Suns made a small run at the beginning of the third, closing to within 70-63 when Channing Frye drained a short jumper. The Nuggets, however, pulled away steadily again and led, 105-89, heading into the fourth.

Phoenix took off in the fourth, making a strong run with a furious rally that included four 3-pointers in the final three minutes. The Suns pulled to within 132-131 when Steve Nash completed a three-point play with 22.3 seconds remaining, but Billups hit four free throws and Afflalo hit two in the final 21 seconds to seal the win.

Jason Richardson scored 39 points and Nash finished wiith 17 for Phoenix, which scored 44 points in the fourth quarter.