DENVER (AP) — Carmelo Anthony pulled down a career-best 18 rebounds to go with his 26 points in leading the Denver Nuggets past the New Orleans Hornets 93-80 Thursday night.
Despite allowing a late run, it was another in a long line of fine performances by the Nuggets while the team awaits the return of defensive stalwart Kenyon Martin, who's undergoing therapy for left knee tendinitis and rookie point guard Ty Lawson, who's been out all month with a sprained left shoulder.
Coach George Karl missed his sixth game — but his first at home — since beginning radiation and chemotherapy treatment for throat cancer a month ago.
The Nuggets, who have won eight of nine, have gone 5-1 under acting head coach Adrian Dantley, whose only loss at the helm came Monday night in Houston when Aaron Brooks hit the game-winner in the closing seconds to cap an 11-point fourth-quarter comeback.
Anthony recorded his third straight double-double and his ninth of the season.
Chris Andersen returned from two sprained ankles to help clog up the lanes and clean up the glass — he had 13 rebounds — as the Nuggets beat New Orleans for the second time in six nights.
The Nuggets (47-22) moved a half-game ahead of Dallas for sole possession of second place in the Western Conference, 3½ games behind the Los Angeles Lakers.
J.R. Smith scored 13 of his 17 points in the second quarter to help the Nuggets take control with a 62-37 lead at the half. His back-to-back fastbreak dunks, followed by a twisting layup capped a 13-0 run that gave Denver a 50-28 lead.
Nene added 20 points for the Nuggets, who improved to 14-1 at home when facing a team playing the second of back-to-back games.
The Nuggets led by 27 — on Nene's steal and slam that made it 64-37 in the opening seconds of the second half — but saw their lead trimmed to 10 on David West's put-back with 7:49 remaining. An inbounds violation gave the ball to New Orleans and Anthony Carter fouled Darren Collison, who hit one of two free throws to make it 79-70.
Anthony grabbed his own miss — breaking his career high of 16 rebounds set against New York in 2007 — spun around and sank a follow-up that gave the Nuggets an 85-72 lead with 4:23 left.
He scored on the Nuggets' next two trips downcourt to make it 89-72.
Collison and Marcus Thornton each scored 15 points to lead the Hornets.
NOTES: The Hornets were again without leading scorer Chris Paul, who underwent left knee surgery Feb. 4 and missed his 24th straight game. Coach John Bower has said he's likely to keep Paul out until the team returns home Monday. ... Peja Stojakovic, who has averaged 22 points in his last three games against the Nuggets, missed the game with a groin injury.
