DENVER, April 15 (Ticker) -- Mike Bibby and the Sacramento Kings took advantage of a team that had nothing to play for.

Bibby had 23 points and 10 assists as the Kings moved closer to securing a playoff spot with a 100-82 triumph over the Denver Nuggets.

NBA TV highlights from Kings-Nuggets: Play

Kenny Thomas added 18 points and Kevin Martin 16 for Sacramento (42-38), which moved 1 1/2 games ahead of Utah (40-39) for the Western Conference's final playoff berth with two to play.

"We came out with the momentum throughout the whole game," Thomas said. "We just did everything right, I guess."

Facing a Nuggets team that already has clinched the Northwest Division title and locked up the third seed in the West, the Kings held a 52-45 halftime lead.

Bibby scored 18 points in the first half and added five in the third quarter, when the Kings outscored the Nuggets, 30-18, to take control of the game.

"We needed to take it to them in the third quarter and not lose our concentration," said Kings coach Rick Adelman, whose team led by as many as 25 points in the fourth quarter. "I wasn't going to let them let it go. Either we respond and take control of the game or (the Nuggets) were going to do it. I just didn't want to let it slip away."

Ruben Patterson scored 20 points and Carmelo Anthony 15 for Denver (44-36), which suffered its second straight lopsided loss since winning its first division title since 1988.

"If we keep playing like tonight it's going to be tough in the playoffs," Patterson said. "Tonight there was no defense, we gave them easy layups. We're not playing together. It's very frustrating."

"It was good to get a win," said Kings forward Ron Artest, who guarded Anthony. "All the games are tough right now. We came here to get a win. We worked hard and deserved to win tonight."