The Denver Nuggets had lots of incentive during their game Saturday night agaisnt the visiting Utah Jazz; they have a relatively healthy roster, they have been bounced from the postseason early in five of the past six years and just as importantly, they have coach George Karl on their minds as he recovers from neck and throat cancer.

Both teams shot lights out (Denver shot a sizzling 57 percent while Utah shot 55 percent) in what could be described as a track meet, yet Carmelo Anthony drained a playoff career-high 42 points while J.R. Smith was dialing up the 3-pointers, allowing Denver to take Game 1 of their series, defeating Utah 126-113 at Pepsi Center.

The Nuggets took an 88-86 lead into the fourth quarter after Anthony sank a long 3-pointer following a big block by Chris Andersen on Deron Williams. Smith, who had drawn the ire of interim coach Adrian Dantley for firing up ill-advised treys in the final minutes of a blowout win against Memphis during the regular season finale, sank three consecutive 3s to break open a 90-90 game and give Denver a 99-93 lead.

A fourth shot would hit the iron, but Smith would grab the long rebound and make a finger-roll basket that put the Nuggets ahead 101-93; Smith sank yet another three-pointer to make it 111-100 and seal the victory.

Six Nuggets scored in double-digits, led by Anthony with 42 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists while Smith added 20 (including 4 three-pointers) with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal; Chauncey Billups chipped in 15 with a rebound, 8 assists and 2 steals while Kenyon Martin, despite scoring only 7 points, grabbed 12 boards.

The Jazz was led by Williams with 26 points, 2 rebounds, 11 assists and a steal while Carlos Boozer added 19 with 8 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 3 blocks; C.J. Miles chipped in 17 with 2 assists and a seal while Paul Millsap poured in 15 with 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks.

Denver and Utah will meet again on Monday in Game 2 of their series from Pepsi Center.