In Progress: Carmelo, Nuggets Hope To End Celtics’ Winning Streak

More on this game at our team blogs, Denver Stiffs and CelticsBlog.

Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Chauncey Billups posted 26 points and seven assists and Carmelo Anthony added 23 and eight, as Denver ended Boston’s three-game winning streak with a convincing 114-105 victory at Pepsi Center.

J.R. Smith made five three-pointers for 19 points off the bench for the Nuggets, who had alternated wins and losses over their previous eight games. Nene chipped in 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Kenyon Martin posted 12 and 10 for the victors.

Ray Allen led the Celtics with 25 points, while Rajon Rondo added 15 points and 11 assists. Kevin Garnett netted 15 points, while Paul Pierce had just five on 2-of-10 shooting in defeat.

Marquis Daniels also scored 15 points for Boston, which hit a woeful 2-of-13 from behind the arc and never led in the game.

Ty Lawson built on Denver’s 92-82 cushion midway through the fourth quarter by hitting a runner and putting in a layup off a steal for a 14-point lead near the seven-minute mark.

The Celtics didn’t cut their deficit to single digits until the final seconds.

It was a tale of two quarters in the first half, as Denver shot a blistering 72.7 percent from the field in the opening quarter to jump out to a 37-19 lead.

Boston made adjustments defensively in the second stanza and trailed just 54-47 at halftime.

The Celtics finally tied things at 66-all on a Daniels layup with five minutes left in the third. Denver, though, scored 10 of the next 12 points and was on top 82-73 at the conclusion of the quarter.

Boston newcomer Nate Robinson did not play due to flu-like symptoms...Chris Andersen posted nine points and four blocks for Denver, which made 51.3 percent from the floor and 9-of-21 from three-point range...Kendrick Perkins had 14 points for the Celtics, who made 52.9 percent of their shots.