The Denver Nuggets thrashed the Miami Heat 114-96, in a game where a match-up of two of the NBA's top scorers took a back seat to the efficient offence of the home team.
Carmelo Anthony had 22 points to lead six Nuggets into double figures as Denver had little trouble offsetting a 25-point haul from Miami guard Dwyane Wade.
The Northwest division-leading Nuggets (14-5) built a 58-42 halftime advantage and sealed the win with a dominant third quarter, where their lead extended to as many as 25 points.
Arron Afflalo had 17 points and J.R. Smith added 16 off the bench as Denver avenged a 96-88 loss to Miami on November the sixth.
The Nuggets' team effort helped compensate for Anthony's 6-for-17 shooting.
The NBA's leading scorer, Anthony has scored at least 20 points in every game this season, the only player in the league to accomplish the feat.
Forward Michael Beasley had 17 points and seven rebounds for the Heat (10-8) who have lost three of their last four.
