Anthony, Nuggets Get Closer to Playoff Spot

Carmelo Anthony called it the best game of his career. Given the circumstances, it would be hard to argue with the rookie.

Anthony scored 30 points, including six in overtime, and the Denver Nuggets took a major step toward their first playoff appearance in nine years with a 110-100 victory Saturday night over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers.

With two games remaining, Denver took a one-game lead over Portland and remained tied with Utah for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Denver owns the tiebreakers over both Utah and Portland.

Anthony scored seven of Denver’s last nine points in regulation, capped by a 17-foot jumper that made it 94-94 with 3.7 seconds left. He made two jumpers early in overtime and added a fastbreak slam dunk for a 104-95 lead with 1:39 left.

Anthony scored 23 points after halftime.

“My teammates had the confidence to get me the ball down the stretch and I answered,” he said. “It’s the best game I’ve ever played.”

The win assured Denver (42-38) of its first winning season since 1993-94.

Zach Randolph and Darius Miles each scored 23 points for the Trail Blazers.

Utah 82, Houston 69 -- Gordan Giricek had 23 points as the Jazz exploited Yao Ming’s early foul trouble and held the Rockets to an 11-point third quarter at Salt Lake City. Maurice Taylor had 16 points for Houston.

Atlanta 110, Boston 99 -- The Celtics failed to clinch a playoff spot at Atlanta as the Hawks’ Bob Sura finished with 15 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds for his second straight triple-double.

The Celtics lost their fourth in a row and need one more win or a Philadelphia loss to clinch the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot. Ricky Davis led Boston with 24 points.

Cleveland 91, Miami 80 -- Jeff McInnis had 16 points at Cleveland as the Cavaliers ended a seven-game losing streak. The Cavaliers won their 33rd game, their most since winning 47 in 1997-98. Dwyane Wade had 17 points for Miami.

New Orleans 92, Milwaukee 87 -- Jamaal Magloire scored 26 points at Milwaukee to help the Hornets prevent the Bucks from clinching home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

Miami and New Orleans are one game behind Milwaukee for the fourth playoff spot in the East. Michael Redd had 27 points for the Bucks.

Seattle 119, Dallas 99 -- Rashard Lewis scored 25 points at Seattle as the SuperSonics ended the Mavericks’ six-game winning streak and dropped them back into a fifth-place tie with Memphis in the Western Conference.

Rookie guard Marquis Daniels had a career-high 33 points for Dallas, which played without second-leading scorer Michael Finley (back).

New York 102, Washington 98 -- Tim Thomas and DeMarr Johnson scored 22 points apiece and Frank Williams made four free throws in the closing seconds of overtime at Washington to help ensure that the Knicks can finish no worse than seventh in the East. Jarvis Hayes scored 23 points for Washington.

Detroit 101, Orlando 89 -- Tayshaun Prince scored a career-high 25 points at Orlando, Fla., to help the Pistons to their seventh straight victory.

DeShawn Stevenson had 21 points for Orlando, which dropped its 13th straight game to secure the NBA’s worst record.