The San Antonio Spurs built a big lead over the Denver Nuggets but were forced to hang on for a 121-117 win Saturday. The win was the fifth in six games for the Spurs, who retained their lead in the Southwest division, while visitors Denver saw a four-game win streak come to an end. The Spurs started out hot and built a 20-point lead four minutes into the second quarter, but Denver chipped away at the deficit and by halftime the visitors were only down by seven. Denver then went on an 11-2 run in the third quarter and a three-pointer by Rudy Fernandez pulled them within two points midway through the fourth. Just as it looked like the Spurs were going to blow their huge lead, Richard Jefferson stepped up to secure the victory with a great effort at both ends of the floor. Knicks 103, Pistons 80: The rookie got the start, but the night belonged to the 33-year-old journeyman. Iman Shumpert, the Knicks' improbably confident rookie guard, started the night against the Detroit Pistons. But it was Mike Bibby's second-quarter scoring spurt that helped break the game open as the Knicks coasted to a 103-80 victory. Heat 101, Nets 90: The official injury report read like an orthopedist's patient caseload: Brook Lopez (broken right foot), MarShon Brooks (sprained left ankle), Damion James (sore right foot), LeBron James (left ankle sprain), Dwyane Wade (left foot contusion) and Mickell Gladness (left foot infection). With Wade sitting out for the third straight game, James led the Heat to a 101-90 victory against the Nets in dominant fashion Saturday. With the Chicago Bulls losing in Atlanta, the Heat (8-1) have the best record in the NBA. Hawks 109, Bulls 94: Josh Smith scored 25 points, Joe Johnson and Vladimir Radmanovic each added 17 and the Atlanta Hawks beat visiting Chicago, 109-94, on Saturday night to end the Bulls' six-game winning streak. Thunder 98, Rockets 95: Kevin Durant hit a jumper with 22 seconds left and then made two free throws to push Oklahoma City past host Houston. 76ers 97, Raptors 62: Andre Iguodala had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Jrue Holiday also scored 14 points to lead host Philadelphia past Toronto for the 76ers' fourth straight win. Mavericks 96, Hornets 81: Vince Carter and Ian Mahinmi had 13 points each to lead host Dallas over short-handed New Orleans. Elsewhere it was: Pacers 99, Bobcats 77; Utah 88, Golden State 87; LA Clippers 92, Milwaukee 86.
