Ty Lawson scored seven of the nine straight points Denver produced to open the fourth period Wednesday and the Nuggets went on to defeat Utah 114-105.

Utah had a one-point advantage when Chauncey Billups was fouled attempting a 3-pointer with a second to play in the third period. Billups made all three free throws for an 82-80 Denver lead and the Nuggets then quickly opened an 11-point cushion to start the fourth quarter.

The Nuggets are seeking their seventh straight playoff bid this season and are coming off an appearance in the Western Conference finals, where they fell in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Carmelo Anthony paced Denver with 30 points and Billups had 25. Lawson, starting his third season with the Nuggets, had 17.

Utah was led by 28 from Deron Williams and 17 from Andrei Kirilenko.