DENVER – The NBA's leading scorer Carmelo Anthony came up with his fifth successive 30-point effort to help the Denver Nuggets to a 111-101 victory over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday.

Anthony recorded 38 points and added nine rebounds as Denver improved to 19-7 in a bittersweet game for the Nuggets.

Point guard Chauncey Billups, who had 15 points, left the game with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter after straining his left groin.

Seven-time All-Star Tracy McGrady played less than eight minutes for the Rockets (14-11), going scoreless in his second game since returning after a lengthy layoff due to a knee injury.