National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Houston 108, Denver 103
When: 9:00 PM ET, Monday, February 7, 2011
Where: Pepsi Center, Denver, Colorado
Officials: #34 Marc Davis, #60 David Guthrie, # Marat Kogut
Attendance: 14595
Kevin Martin scored 30 of his 37 points in the second half as the surging Houston Rockets withstood a career-high 50 points from Carmelo Anthony and defeated the host Denver Nuggets, 108-103, on Monday for their third straight victory.

Martin made 12-of-26 shots and 9-of-12 free throws as he eclipsed 30 points for the third time in four games and helped the Rockets continue their climb into playoff contention in the Western Conference.

Anthony, trying to compensate for the absence of center Nene and the early exit of guard Chauncey Billups, made 16-of-24 shots and 16-of-18 free throws, adding 11 rebounds. It wasn't enough as the Nuggets (30-22) lost their second straight at home and fell four games behind Oklahoma City in the Northwest Division.

Luis Scola scored 25 points for the Rockets (25-28), who had lost their previous two games to the Nuggets this season. Scola has averaged 25.7 points in the three games.

Playing without suspended guard Aaron Brooks, Houston started the second half with a 19-6 run – sparked by Martin’s 11 points and Scola’s six – and took a 71-56 lead. The Rockets led, 81-66, after three quarters, and were 7-of-8 from the line in the final minute as the Nuggets made it close.

Billups left in the first quarter with a left knee strain and did not return. Backup Ty Lawson had 19 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Nene, who leads the NBA with a .644 field goal percentage, sat out with the flu.

The Nuggets fell to 28-7 this season when they score at least 103 points.

Anthony also scored 50 against New York on Nov. 27, 2009.
Top Game Performances
 
Houston   Denver
Kevin Martin 37 Scoring Carmelo Anthony 50
Kevin Martin 7 Assists Ty Lawson 5
Chuck Hayes 10 Rebounds Carmelo Anthony 11
Kevin Martin 9 Free Throws Made Carmelo Anthony 16
Kyle Lowry 4 Steals Carmelo Anthony 1
Chuck Hayes 1 Blocks Carmelo Anthony 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Houston 108 43.4 9-22 27-35 27 37 2 11 13
Denver 103 45.5 3-13 30-43 14 47 7 2 21
Upcoming Games
  • Denver will play their next game on the road against Golden State. The Nuggets have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Houston will play their next game at home against Minnesota. The Rockets have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.