Anthony, Nuggets sting Hornets

Andre Miller and Kenyon Martin each netted 17 points for the Nuggets, who finished 5-2 on their seven game road trip. Greg Buckner scored 19 points while Reggie Evans collected 16 rebounds.

David West scored 24 points and grabbed eight boards for the Hornets, who were playing their second game at New Orleans Arena since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. Kirk Snyder scored 12 points, while Chris Paul and Linton Johnson each tallied 11 points. Paul also recorded 10 rebounds.

The Hornets have lost a season-high eight straight games and never really had a chance in Saturday’s contest.

Denver seized momentum early in the game, outscoring the Hornets 25-8 over the last eight minutes of the first quarter to take an 18 point lead, 34-16. Anthony led the way for the Nuggets, scoring 16 of his 28 points in the period.

The Nuggets held New Orleans/Oklahoma City at arms distance most of the game, leading by 16 at halftime, 58-42, and by 18 at the end of the third.

The Hornets did manage to get within 11 in the fourth quarter by way of a 14-5 run, but Buckner put to bed any thoughts of a Hornets comeback when he drained back-to-back treys with 2:16 left.

Denver shot 48.8 percent from the field, while New Orleans/Oklahoma City shot a respectable 41.5 percent. The Hornets, though, shot just 23.8 percent from beyond the arc (5-of-21) and turned the ball over 16 times.

Game Notes

The Hornets outrebounded the Nuggets, 43-39...P.J. Brown scored eight points and grabbed 10 boards for the Hornets...Marc Jackson added 10 points and seven boards...New Orleans/Oklahoma City has now lost six straight games on its home court.