Denver Nuggets Team Report - January 19

(Basketball News) - Carmelo Anthony poured in 31 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets past the Miami Heat, 88-80, on Sunday at the Pepsi Center.

Voshon Lenard netted 18 points and Nene added 17 for Denver, which halted a two-game losing streak. The Nuggets did not trail in the game.

The Nuggets took control early, scoring 15 of the first 21 points of the game. Denver extended its advantage to 24-10 on a layup by Andre Miller with 1:20 left in the opening quarter and held a 24-12 lead after 12 minutes.

Lenard’s three-pointer to begin the second quarter gave the Nuggets a 15-point advantage. Denver eventually carried a 51-40 lead into the locker room.

"Even though I missed some shots the last couple of games, I’m going to keep shooting," Anthony said. "That’s what I’ve got to do: shoot, rebound and do everything that I can."

In the third quarter, Anthony’s three-point play with 5:42 remaining in the period staked Denver to a 64-47 advantage.

The Heat then responded with a 12-0 burst, capped by Udonis Haslem’s layup, to pull within 64-59. Anthony then sank a pair of foul shots and Denver led by seven after 36 minutes.

Miami was able to cut the deficit to six points on several occasions in the fourth quarter, the last time at 86-80 on a layup by Haslem with 1:36 remaining.

The Heat then got the ball back, but Haslem’s short jumper was blocked by Nene. Lenard then banked in a shot with 30.4 seconds left to seal it.

Miller finished with eight points and 10 assists, while Rodney White had 10 points for Denver.

Anthony has scored in double digits in seven straight games. He has also played at least 30 minutes per game in those contests.

The Nuggets are off until Tuesday when they visit the Utah Jazz.