Cavaliers’ James wins rivalry game

LeBron James just missed his first triple-double this season Thursday night, but got something even more rare: a win over good buddy Carmelo Anthony.

James scored 22 points, most of them coming with Anthony guarding him, but Cleveland’s star was on the bench when Mo Williams and the Cavaliers finally put away the Denver Nuggets and won their sixth in a row, 110-99.

Williams scored a season-high 24 points and made a crucial three-pointer in the fourth quarter to put the Cavaliers ahead by 12 and send James racing onto the floor in celebration.

James had lost his last five games against Anthony, whom he has known since high school, and is now 3-8 against his U.S. Olympic teammate since they broke into the league together in 2003. James added 11 assists and eight rebounds as the Cavaliers beat the Nuggets for the first time since Dec. 15, 2005.

Chauncey Billups had 26 points for the Nuggets.