The Nuggets only hope they didn't make Phoenix too mad.

The Nuggets crushed the Suns, a possible first-round playoff foe, 131-107 Saturday night at the Pepsi Center for their fourth straight win.

Guard Allen Iverson led the way with 44 points and a season-high 15 assists and forward Carmelo Anthony added 29 in a game that was over at halftime.

"When you're in a zone, it doesn't matter what guy's on you," Iverson said. "It feels like throwing rocks in the ocean."

The Nuggets played by far their best half of the season in taking a 70-44 lead over the Suns, who suddenly have fallen apart after last Wednesday's big win at Dallas, the NBA's top team. The Nuggets, who shot a season-high 57.3 percent for the game, shot 68.3 percent in the half to 33.3 for the Suns.

Entering Saturday, the Nuggets were the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference playoff race, putting them in position to face the No. 2 Suns. The win moved Denver (33-31) percentage points ahead of the Lakers and into the No. 6 spot, but, even if they stay there, they still could meet Phoenix in the first round if the Suns (50-16) drop to No. 3.

It was by far the biggest win of the season for Denver. Previously, the Nuggets hadn't beaten any of the top 10 teams in the league, going 0-10.

"I think Phoenix was a bit tired coming in late (Friday night)," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "I'm not going to jump off (a) bridge and celebrate this win. I think we wanted this one more than they did."

The win was the perfect springboard for the Nuggets heading into a five-game trip, which begins Tuesday at New Jersey. The Nuggets play 13 of their final 18 on the road.

"It really lets us know where we are as a team," Anthony said of the win. "These last four games have been good for me, been good for (Iverson) and it's been good for the team."

The Nuggets provided little doubt early about how Saturday's game would turn out. They took a 37-25 first-quarter lead and then spent the second quarter extending it.

Phoenix never led. Since winning 129-127 Wednesday at Dallas in double overtime, the Suns have lost 103-83 at home to Detroit and then came Saturday's walloping. They've been outscored by an average of 22 points in the past two games.

"Obviously, they played great," said Phoenix coach Mike D'Antoni. "We are in a little bit of a funk right now. We are discombobulated."

Reserve guard Leandro Barbosa led the Suns with 25 points. Two-time reigning Most Valuable Player Steve Nash finished with 15 points and 10 assists after managing just two assists in the first half.

Suns center Amare Stoudemire managed just 13 points and four rebounds. He blamed it on Denver's altitude, saying, "It caught us off guard this time."

Iverson had his best game since he was acquired Dec. 19 from Philadelphia. He scored 31 points in the second half.

"When I was there on the bench in the fourth quarter, I was like a fan," Anthony said of watching Iverson.

Since the start of the 2004-05 season, the Nuggets had been 1-8 against the Suns (1-7 since Karl took over in January 2005). But Iverson said he wasn't shocked by the lopsided win.

"No, because I believe in our talent. If we don't go out and feel we're a better team than the guys we're playing against, nine times out of 10 we're not going to win the basketball game."

ETC.: It didn't bother Anthony that Lakers guard Kobe Bryant scored 65 points Friday and now trails Anthony in the scoring race just 29.8 to 29.7. "That was good," Anthony said. "That was exciting to see him get 65. I ain't worried about (the scoring race)." Anthony on Saturday did move past Kiki Vandeweghe into eighth place on the Nuggets' all-time scoring list with 6,829 points. . . Nuggets center Marcus Camby played in his 55th game, assuring his minimum bonus this season for games played will be $1 million. If Camby reaches 60 games, his total bonus will rise to $1.5 million and he will reach the maximum of $2 million if he plays in 65. . . Iverson had his 78th career 40-point game, moving him past Oscar Robertson for the fourth most in NBA history. . . The sellout crowd of 19,809 was the biggest of the season at the Pepsi Center. . . The Nuggets scored 41 points in the third quarter, tying the most they've had this season in any quarter.

tomassonc@RockyMountainNews.com