NBA roundup: Nuggets deal Wolves 14th straight defeat

MINNEAPOLIS — Carmelo Anthony scored 22 points and Nene had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists as the Denver Nuggets handed the Minnesota Timberwolves their 14th straight loss with a 124-111 victory Wednesday.

The Timberwolves have not won since an opening night victory over New Jersey. Their 1-14 mark is the worst 15-game start in team history. Corey Brewer had the first double-double of his career with a career-high 22 points and 13 rebounds. Jonny Flynn scored 20 points for the Wolves, who cut the lead to eight points in the fourth before fading to yet another loss.

CAVALIERS 98, PISTONS 88: At Auburn Hills, Mich., LeBron James scored 12 of his 34 points in the first quarter, helping the Cavaliers build a cushion they used to cruise past the Pistons. James' strong start gave the Cavs a nine-point lead to start the second quarter. Reserve Daniel Gibson and Mo Williams combined to score 18 points in the second quarter to put them ahead by 18 at halftime.

When the Pistons pulled within 10 midway through the fourth quarter, James responded with a 3-pointer and a double-pump dunk. Detroit cut its deficit to eight points with 4:15 left and James made plays at both ends of the court to give the Cavs another double-digit lead

PACERS 86, CLIPPERS 73: At Indianapolis, Troy Murphy had 18 points and 11 rebounds, and the Pacers snapped their four-game losing streak. Dahntay Jones scored 18 and Brandon Rush added 13 points and 11 rebounds for the Pacers (6-7).

Indiana played without All-Star swingman Danny Granger, who missed the game with a sprained ligament in his left knee.

Baron Davis had 25 points and Marcus Camby added 15 points and 21 rebounds for the Clippers (6-10), who dropped their third straight road game.

CELTICS 113, 76ERS 110: At Boston, Rajon Rondo scored six points during a key run early in the fourth quarter, nailed a shot clock-beating jumper in the closing seconds, and the Celtics overcame poor 3-point shooting to beat the 76ers. Paul Pierce led Boston with 27 points. Kevin Garnett had 19 points and Ray Allen 18. Rondo finished with 10 points and seven assists. Andre Iguodala paced the undermanned 76ers with 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. Jason Kapono had a season-high 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting off the bench. Willie Green added 18 points

BOBCATS 116, RAPTORS 81: At Charlotte, N.C., Gerald Wallace broke out of a shooting slump with 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds as the Bobcats notched the most lopsided victory in team history. Stephen Jackson added 23 points for Charlotte, which dominated the listless Raptors. The sixth-year Bobcats' previous biggest win was a 32-point rout of Indiana on Nov. 16, 2005.