DENVER – J.R. Smith came off the bench to score 41 points and spark the Denver Nuggets to a 124-104 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday.

Smith's tally included 10 three-pointers as NBA leading scorer Carmelo Anthony added 24 points to help the Nuggets return to winning ways at home following two road defeats.

Jamal Crawford had a team-high 24 points for the Hawks (20-8) who entered the contest on the back of seven wins in eight and are enjoying one of their best starts in franchise history.

Forced to play again without injured starting point guard Chauncey Billups (groin), Denver established the lead from the outset and blew the game open in the fourth quarter when Smith knocked in four three-pointers.

The blowout victory enabled Denver (20-9) to gain revenge for a lopsided 125-100 defeat at the hands of the Hawks on November 7.