Denver Nuggets Team Report - December 3

(Basketball News) - Carmelo Anthony poured in a game-high 26 points as the Denver Nuggets outlasted LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, 115-103, on Tuesday at the Pepsi Center. Anthony scored 21 of his 26 points in the second half, rebounding from a poor start where he hit just 1-of-5 shots in the opening half.

Denver had a total of five players score in double digits, as Nene scored 21 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Andre Miller chipped in with 14 points and dished out nine assists for the Nuggets, who at 11-6 are off to their best start since 1989-1990.

Denver has now won four straight.

Voshon Lenard added 13 points and Jon Barry provided a spark off the bench with 14 for Denver, which improved to 8-1 at home.

Anthony was too much for James and the Cavs, as he sparked a 10-0 run that put the Nuggets up 92-81 midway through the fourth.

Later in the quarter, Anthony answered a James three-pointer with a tip-in and moments later, Anthony stole a pass and found Barry open in the lane for a scoop lay-up that made the score 102-93 in favor of Denver with just under five minutes left.

Cleveland then tried to make it interesting down the stretch.

Carlos Boozer’s jumper made it a six-point Nuggets lead with under two minutes left. Boozer was then called for goaltending on an Anthony jumper and the lead was back to eight points.

Denver iced it on its next two possessions, as Earl Boykins first slipped down the lane and scored on a soft layup before he banked a shot off the glass for a sizeable 12-point lead as the clock ticked down to under a minute left in the game.

The Nuggets play the first of a home-and-home set against the Warriors in Oakland tonight.