Carmelo Anthony had a tough time shooting tonight, but he still managed to score 26 points in the Denver Nuggets' 109-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets and the Clippers battled back and forth for the entire game, experiencing 13 lead changes. In the end, the Denver Nuggets picked up their sixth straight win and eighth straight at home.
The Nuggets were aided in large part by the Clippers inability to stop piling up the personal fouls, 37 in the game. The Nuggets went 45-of-59 from the free throw line. Carmelo Anthony was the best, making 13-of-18, though Chauncey Billups was better percentage-wise, making nine of 10.
Billups added 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal. J.R. Smith turned things on in the second half and finished with 21 points and four rebounds. Nene had 11 points and seven rebounds before he fouled out in the fourth quarter.
Clippers shooting guard Eric Gordon led the team with 24 points, while power forward Blake Griffin added 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. He did, though have five turnovers and five fouls.
Nuggets center Chris Andersen left the game in the fourth quarter after coming down hard on his pelvic bone. He went to the locker room and was diagnosed with a lower back contusion. He did not return to the game.
The Denver Nuggets to 12-6 overall, 9-1 at home. They will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m MT.