Miller, Nuggets rip the Raptors

Earl Boykins scored 18 points for the Nuggets, who have won four straight and nine of their last 12 games. Greg Buckner, who tied his career high of five three-pointers, scored 17 points. Ruben Patterson had 15 points, while Carmelo Anthony scored 14 points. Reggie Evans grabbed a season-high 20 rebounds but did not score, becoming the first player in the NBA to do this since Chicago’s Dennis Rodman in a game against Phoenix on December 15, 1997.

"I just came out and tried to be aggressive," Evans said. "With Kenyon [Martin] and [Marcus] Camby not playing, I was just trying to hold them [Toronto] down. I got lucky and got 20 rebounds."

Mike James scored 26 points to pace the Raptors, who have lost three straight and nine of their last 10 games. Morris Peterson scored 20 points, while Chris Bosh recorded 18 points and 15 rebounds. Matt Bonner added 14 points.

Going 11-of-28 (39.3 percent), Toronto tied the NBA record for most consecutive games scoring a three-pointer. It shares the mark of 594 straight with the Miami Heat, who set the record in 2001. The Raptors’ streak started on February 26, 1999 against Minnesota at the Air Canada Centre.

Toronto went on a 10-3 run, highlighted by back-to-back treys by Peterson, with under three minutes to go in the fourth quarter for a 100-92 deficit. Three free throws by Miller in the final minute, however, sealed the win for Denver.

Toronto edged an early advantage with a 26-25 lead heading into the second quarter, during which Denver outscored Toronto by four points for a 50-47 halftime lead. Denver extended its lead in the third quarter to 76-68 heading into the fourth.

"We made them shoot where we wanted them to," Peterson said. "They made the shots, you’ve got to tip your hat to them. Later in the game, we just didn’t play defense well at all."

The Nuggets have won two straight road games and are 14-16 as the guest this season.

The Raptors, who are in the midst of a three-game homestand, are 2-5 in their last seven home games and 11-19 at the Air Canada Centre this season.

Game Notes

Anthony left the game in the third quarter with a pulled hamstring and did not return...Against the Raptors, Denver has won four straight, including a 107-101 win this season on January 23 at the Pepsi Center...The home team has won eight of the last 11 meetings...The Nuggets and Raptors have split the last 10 games at Toronto.