Anthony has huge night, Thunder fall to Nuggets
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DENVER (AP) -- Emmanuel Mudiay scored 10 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead 3-pointer midway through the period, and the Denver Nuggets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 102-94 on Thursday night.
Paul Milsap added 17 points and Nikola Jokic had 15 points to go with 11 rebounds for Denver. The Nuggets snapped a five-game losing streak at home to the Thunder, including a 106-105 setback April 9 on a last-second 3-pointer by Russell Westbrook that eliminated Denver from playoff contention.
Carmelo Anthony, who spent his first 7 1-2 years in the league in Denver before being traded to the New York Knicks in 2011, had 28 points to lead the Thunder, who acquired Anthony in a pre-season trade. Paul George and Westbrook each added 13 points for the Thunder, who lost their fourth in a row.
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Neither the Thunder nor the Nuggets were able to gain separation on the other in a tightly contested third quarter and the teams went into the final period tied at 75.
The game was tied at 82 when Mudiay connected on a 3-pointer with 7:35 remaining, triggering a 7-0 burst by Denver.
Oklahoma City fought back to within 93-90 but Milsap answered by converting a three-point play with 2:09 left to rebuild Denver's lead to six.
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The Thunder got no closer than four points the rest of the way.
Trailing by as many as 11 points earlier, the Nuggets closed to within 53-51 at the half on a driving layup by Milsap in the final seconds of the second quarter.
Anthony had 15 of his points in the first half to help the Thunder maintain their early edge.
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TIP-INS
Thunder: Westbrook was treated for a facial cut early in the game after taking an elbow to the face while guarding Nikola Jokic. The injury did not prevent him from continuing to play. … Beyond his impact on the floor, Anthony has proven to be a steadying influence in the locker room. "He's got a world of experience and a world of wisdom to share with our guys," coach Billy Donovan said prior to the game.
Nuggets: F Juancho Hernangomez remains sidelined indefinitely because of a bout of mononucleosis. He has missed the last 10 games.
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UP NEXT
Thunder: Head home to complete a back-to-back Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Nuggets: Wrap up a season-long six-game homestand on Saturday night when they host Orlando.
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