The Denver Nuggets took on the high-powered Phoenix Suns Sunday night at the Pepsi Center, winning the shootout 138-133, thanks largely to the team’s franchise-record 16 three-pointers. Carmelo Anthony, hampered by flu-like symptoms, played just three minutes last night before going home at halftime, but the team didn’t really need him (recap via The Denver Post). The enigmatic JR Smith, in coach George Karl’s dog house for much of the season, blew up last night, dropping a team-high 30 points in his best game of the year so far (box score via NBA.com).

“[Without Melo] we’re not as predictable,” point guard Chauncey Billups tells the Post. “When Melo’s in, we’re going to him and let him orchestrate. When he’s not…we play a little differently.”

On the topic of Melo, New York magazine recently made a case for why the Knicks shouldn’t trade for him.