DENVER (Reuters) - The Denver Nuggets welcomed coach George Karl back to the bench after cancer treatment with a 97-87 win over the Washington Wizards on Tuesday.

With Karl resuming his duties after a four-game absence due to treatment for neck and throat cancer, Carmelo Anthony scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds as the Nuggets (46-22) won their seventh game in eight.

"He told us before the game he wasn't going to do too much," Anthony told reporters. "It's just good to have him on the sidelines with us. Even though he can't say much the message is getting to us."

Denver held a slender two-point lead heading into the fourth quarter but outscored their opponents 32-24 the rest of the way, reserve J.R. Smith bagging 13 of his 17 in the last 12 minutes.

Washington forward Andray Blatche had 23 points and eight rebounds but hurt his ankle in the fourth quarter and had to leave the game.

The Wizards (21-45) held a 45-39 lead at halftime before fading and losing their season-high ninth game in a row.

The win moved Denver into sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, four games behind the Los Angeles Lakers.

"(Karl) said before the game, wins are the best treatment for him," said Nuggets forward Joey Graham. "Hopefully we can keep this team rolling and win a championship for him and he'll be completely healed. That's the plan.

The Nuggets are having to cope without the injured Chris Anderson (ankle) and Kenyon Martin (knee), 16 points from Nene helped.

(Reporting by Jahmal Corner in Los Angeles; Editing Peter Rutherford)