NBA: Denver 121, New Orleans 63

NEW ORLEANS, April 27 (UPI) -- Carmelo Anthony had 26 points and the Denver Nuggets beat New Orleans 121-63 Monday to take a 3-1 lead in their Western Conference quarterfinals.

The 58 point difference tied the record for the largest margin of defeat in NBA playoff history, set March 19, 1956, when the Minneapolis Lakers crushed the St. Louis Hawks, 133-75.

Anthony also had seven assists and six rebounds. Chauncey Billups had 17 points and eight assists for Denver, which shot 56.6 percent from the floor.

Chris Paul, hobbled by a knee injury suffered while leading the Hornets to a Game 3 victory, had just four points on 2-of-7 shooting with six assists and as many turnovers.

New Orleans, led by David West's 14 points, set a franchise playoff-low scoring mark and committed 27 turnovers, leading to 41 Denver points.

The Nuggets can wrap up the series Wednesday at home for Game 5.