NBA – Post-Melo Nuggets roll to victory with JR and Ty leading the way

DENVER (NBA) - With the big trade that sent Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups from Denver to New York completed, the Nuggets returned to the hardwood on Tuesday night and proved they're still a very good team.

George Karl's team still has plenty of firepower and determination and used both to beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 120-107.

Just eight players saw action and one of them, JR Smith, torched the Grizzlies for 26 points.

Smith hit six of his 11 shots from long range while Ty Lawson, now the starting point guard with Chauncey Billups having left with Anthony for New York, added 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds and a game-high six steals.

The four new Nuggets - Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov and Wilson Chandler – were at the game but watched from a corner of the arena in street clothes.

They received rapturous applause by Denver fans when they names blared out over the loudspeaker.

In a press conference at the arena, the Nuggets talked about the big trade.

"We lost a superstar and superstars are hard to find in this league," general manager Masai Ujiri said.

"Chauncey and Melo were the ultimate - they brought smiles and excitement and greatness to this basketball organization.

"Do I feel there's a future here? Absolutely. I feel very confident that things will work out and people will love watching these young kids play basketball here."

The Los Angeles Lakers snapped their three-game losing streak with a 104-80 victory over visiting Atlanta.

Kobe Bryant, the MVP of Sunday's All-Star Game after leading the Western Conference to victory, poured in 20 points for the Lakers while Spain's Pau Gasol added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Gasol also played at the All-Star Game.

The Miami Heat rolled to a 117-97 victory at Sacramento, with Dwyane Wade scoring 23 points, corralling eight boards and handing out seven assists.

Wade, who had to pull out of the All-Star Game with an injury, looked as good as ever as the Heat improved to 42-15.

Boston are still first in the Eastern Conference, though, after their 115-93 victory at Golden State.

Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Celtics.

Other results: Indiana 113 Washington 96, Toronto 101 Charlotte 114, Houston 108 Detroit 100, Minnesota 88 Milwaukee 94, Los Angeles Clippers 88 Oklahoma City 111.

FIBA