Anthony fires Nuggets past Rockets
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The NBA's leading scorer Carmelo Anthony came up with his fifth successive 30-point effort to help the Denver Nuggets to a 111-101 victory over the visiting Houston Rockets on Wednesday.
Anthony recorded 38 points and added nine rebounds as Denver (19-7), which controlled the game for long periods, broke clear of a 71-71 tie in the third quarter with an 8-1 run for a bittersweet victory.
Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups, who had 15 points, left the game with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter after straining his left groin.
"It seemed like every time I went to the hole, I made something happen," Anthony told reporters. "That's the way I like it, that's the way we like playing. We like attacking the rim. Tonight we took advantage of that."
"We knew his (Billups) groin was hurting," Anthony said. "He didn't want to risk it, I'm pretty sure it's OK. He walked out (of the arena) fine."
Rookie Ty Lawson replaced Billups in the third quarter and he is likely to take his place for the next two matches against the New Orleans Hornets and the Memphis Grizzlies.
Elsewhere in the NBA, it was: Lakers 107, Bucks 106 (in overtime); Cavaliers 108, 76ers 101; Hawks 110, Grizzlies 97; Pacers 101, Bobcats 98; Magic 118, Raptors 99; Jazz 108, Nets 92; Clippers 120, Timberwolves 95; Mavericks 100, Thunder 86; Hornets 95, Pistons 87; Kings 112, Wizards 109; and Spurs 103, Warriors 91.
In Denver, JR Smith added 21 points and Chris Anderson tallied 11 rebounds as the Nuggets kept their Northwest Division lead over Utah.
Aaron Brooks had a team-high 23 points for the Rockets (14-11) with Trevor Ariza claiming 18, after returning from his one-game ban for throwing a forearm at Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan on Sunday.
Rockets' seven-time All Star Tracy McGrady played less than eight minutes, going scoreless in his second game since returning after a lengthy layoff due to a knee injury.
"I'm happy to be back on the basketball court with my guys but it's just a slow process right now," McGrady said.
In Milwaukee, Kobe Bryant hit a 15-footer as time expired to give Los Angeles an overtime win over Milwaukee.
Bryant scored the game's final seven points over the last 1:18 of overtime. He had 27 of his 39 points in the second half and overtime, but missed a shot at the buzzer that would have won it in regulation.
Given a second chance in OT, he made no mistake.
Pau Gasol had 26 points and a career-high 22 rebounds for the Lakers, who tied Boston for the best NBA record.
