HoopsVibe

(Sports Network) - Earl Boykins scored all 18 of his points in the second half, as the Denver Nuggets held on to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers, 93-89, at Gund Arena.

The game featured the most prized rookies in the NBA, as Denver's Carmelo Anthony went up against Cleveland's LeBron James.

Anthony, the third overall pick in the draft out of Syracuse, netted 14 points on 6-of-17 shooting and also grabbed six boards. He had just two points in the second half.

Meanwhile, James, the top selection in June's draft, hit only 3-of-11 field goal attempts and finished with just seven points, including none after halftime. However, he pulled down 11 rebounds and handed out seven assists.

Andre Miller had 16 points and Voshon Lenard chipped in 15 points, six boards and five assists for the Nuggets, who improved to 3-2 on the year and are off to their best start since opening the 1994-95 campaign with a 5-1 mark.

Nene scored 13 points for the Nuggets, who snapped a seven-game losing streak at Cleveland.

Denver is off until Friday when it hosts the Los Angeles Clippers at the Pepsi Center.