Anthony’s season high powers Nuggets past Pacers

Anthony shot 14-of-25 from the floor, made 8-of-11 from the free-throw line and was two-of-three from three-point land. He also contributed four rebounds and four assists in a complete effort for the Nuggets.

Denver has won seven of its last eight games and 10-of-12 after dropping the first three games of the season. It entered the contest as the league’s highest-scoring team with 109.1 points per game.

J.R. Smith hit on five three-pointers and finished with 19 points, and Earl Boykins ended with 15. Marcus Camby had a double-double, contributing 10 points and 15 boards.

Indiana had four players in double figures, with Jamaal Tinsley paving the way with 25 points and eight assists, but the Pacers fell to 2-3 on their six-game road trip. Jermaine O’Neal had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Al Harrington added 18 points.

The Nuggets opened the game on an 11-6 run, but Indiana scored the next eight points to pull ahead. The back-and-forth action continued, with the Nuggets holding a 29-26 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Then, clinging to a 38-35 lead in the second, Denver used a 9-2 spurt to push its lead to double digits, 47-37, and later coasted into the half with a 65-55 advantage.

The Nuggets never trailed after the break and opened an 18-point lead by the end of the third stanza. Anthony capped the scoring with a jump shot to bring his total to 36 for the game.

Denver built a 24-point lead, its largest of the night, with 2:04 remaining in the game.

Indiana finished the game 39-of-85 from the floor (45 percent), while Denver was 42-of-88 (47 percent).

"Bad decisions led to turnovers," said Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle. "Playing from behind made it difficult...and every time I see him (Anthony) he gets better."

Game Notes

The Pacers won the battle of the boards, 54-41...Denver has won five straight against Indiana...The Nuggets, who had won four straight at home before Tuesday’s loss to Memphis, also play Atlanta and Miami on the homestand.