’Melo’s last-second shot lifts Nuggets over Rockets

Houston, TX (Basketball News) - Carmelo Anthony hit the game-winning jumper with one second left in the fourth quarter, as Denver defeated Houston, 92-90, at the Toyota Center.

Earl Watson scored a season-high 20 points while Anthony added 19 points and nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who have won three of their last four games. Earl Boykins added 17 points in the win.

Rafer Alston netted a season-best 24 points and 11 assists for the Rockets, who have dropped two straight contests. Stromile Swift finished with 17 points and six boards in the loss.

The setback was even more costly for Houston after All-Star forward Tracy McGrady left the game on a stretcher before being transported to a local hospital. McGrady appeared to suffer the injury late in the second quarter when he grabbed his lower back following a missed jumper. He tried to walk off the court, but eventually collapsed on the floor where he was quickly placed on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital to undergo precautionary tests.

McGrady ended with 11 points.

Denver led by five points after three quarters, but could not pull away in the fourth. Houston hung around the entire period as the teams went back-and-forth for the majority of the frame.

The Rockets claimed an 88-87 lead on Swift’s basket with around two minutes remaining, and after several scoreless possessions by both teams, Boykins nailed a three-pointer to put the visitors ahead by two points with 31.6 seconds left.

Swift was then fouled on a rebound with 19.2 seconds left and the forward made both shots to tie the score.

Anthony, though, hit a baseline jumper with one second left to put Denver ahead 92-90 and Swift missed a shot as time expired.

Denver trailed 20-16 after one quarter, but led 40-37 at halftime. The Nuggets then held a 67-62 edge after 36 minutes.

Game Notes

Watson was 6-of-7 from three-point range...Denver won for only the second time in its last nine trips to Houston...The Nuggets are 6-10 on the road, while Houston is a dismal 3-10 at home this season...Denver forward Kenyon Martin left the game with a strained back.