DENVER, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Carmelo Anthony put aside trade rumors circulating around the league to score 21 points Thursday and help lead the Denver Nuggets past listless Miami 130-102.
One night after having their 13-game road winning streak snapped by the Los Angeles Clippers, the Heat played without LeBron James and wilted during the middle two periods.
Anthony -- who is mentioned in various reports as the key element in a potential three-team trade that could send him to New Jersey next week -- played 30 minutes and made half his 16 shots from the field.
Denver shot 55 percent as a team and made 15-of-30 from 3-point range.
J.R. Smith scored 28 points for Denver, with much of his damage coming long after the game had been decided. The Nuggets outscored Miami during the second and third periods 72-45.
It is the first time since late November that Miami has lost back-to-back games.
Chris Bosh scored 24 points for Miami and Dwyane Wade had 16. James suffered a slightly sprained ankle during the loss to the Clippers Wednesday and was held out as a precaution.
