Nuggets Vs. Hornets: Carmelo Anthony Slinks Toward The Exit As Denver Loses

In what may have been Carmelo Anthony's final home game in Denver, the Nuggets fell 96-87 to the New Orleans Hornets. Anthony, the subject of hot trade talk that could result in a move to the New Jersey Nets as soon as today, scored just eight points on 3-11 shooting against the Hornets. He hadn't scored less than 10 points in any game in which he'd played at least 30 minutes since 2005.

Denver's offense was weak, thanks to a solid New Orleans defense and crummy shooting by 'Melo and Chauncey Billups (2-12). Billups, a Denver native, is also expected to be traded to the Nets, though it remains unclear as to whether he will ever suit up for New Jersey and instead request a buy-out. Billups' agent has indicated the veteran guard has no interest playing anywhere but Denver.

Al Harrington, who figures to ride out the season as Denver's top scorer should he remain with the Nuggets after the trade season, scored 20 points. For the Hornets, as it so often is, the offense was dominated by Chris Paul (20 points, six assists) and David West (19 points, five assists). Trevor Ariza's defense on 'Melo was great, and the wing took just two three-pointers (missing both). Progress!

Clippers 105, Warriors 91: Blake Griffin's rampage continues. He had 23 points and 12 rebounds against the thin Warriors, bringing his double-double streak to 23 and his 20-10 streak to 12. (Yep, he's had 20 points and 10 rebounds in every game he's played since Dec. 12. Only Shaquille O'Neal has a longer streak this millennium.) But due to the schedule, he's actually fallen behind a certain rival power forward on his double-double streak.

Spurs 94, Wolves 91: That'd be Kevin Love, who had his 24th straight double-double in a loss to the Spurs. Love isn't the scorer that Griffin is, and had 18 points. But Love is the best rebounder in the league, bar none -- he pulled down 17 against San Antonio. The Spurs relied on their perimeter attack, as Manu Ginobili had 21. Darko Milicic lead the Wolves in shot attempts. He turned his 16 field goals attempts and two free throws into a whopping 11 points.

Suns 108, Cavaliers 100: Phoenix found a team it can beat. Unsurprisingly, it was the team everyone can beat, the league-worst Cavs. The Suns broke a three-game skid by beating a Cleveland team missing Anderson Varejao, Daniel Gibson, Anthony Parker and Joey Graham (and Leon Powe; writing that makes me too sad to function). Phoenix shot 13-28 from long-range -- that's the Suns' best bet to win these days: gun it.

Raptors 118, Kings 112: Tyreke Evans (the team's best starting defender) sat out with a sprained ankle, and Toronto took that opportunity to shred the Kings. DeMar DeRozan, who would have been Evans' matchup, scored 28 and Andrea Bargnani dropped 30 points on a combination of Jason Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins and Carl Landry.