It just wasn't the Denver Nuggets' night--again. After leading 32-19 at the end of the first quarter, the Nuggets lost to the Houston Rockets, 102-121, on Monday night. Carmelo Anthony gave the Nuggets their biggest lead of the night, 15 points, when he sank a jump shot 50 seconds into the second quarter, but by halftime they were down, 54-58.
It got even worse in the third quarter when the Rockies outscored them, 30-14. The Nuggets' 34 points in the fourth quarter were too little, too late.
Carmelo Anthony, who had 50 points against the Rockets in their last game, split his 16 points evenly between the free throw line and from the field. He was, however, 4-of-14 from the field and 0-for-3 on three-pointers. Arron Afflalo contributed 17 points and four rebounds, but Chauncey Billups had the best all-around game with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Nene added 12 points and nine rebounds.
For the Rockets, Courtney Lee had a team-high 22 points with six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Kevin Martin followed up his 37-point performance against the Nuggets with only 13 this time around.
The teams split the season series, as the Nuggets took the first two games (Oct. 30, Jan. 3) and the Rockets the last two (Feb. 7, Feb. 14).
The Nuggets (31-25, 9-18 away) visit the Milwaukee Bucks for a Wednesday night game. ESPN will televise the game at 7:00 p.m. MT.