Anthony's 45 not enough for Denver

Carmelo Anthony scored 45 points for the Denver Nuggets but still found himself on the end of a defeat as the Houston Rockets posted a thrilling 125-123 victory.

Aaron Brooks took his game tally to 31 when he netted the crucial points for the Rockets with just under three seconds left in the contest before Anthony missed a three-pointer on the buzzer.

Kevin Martin also scored 29 points for Houston, who ended the Nuggets' six-game winning run.

Kobe Bryant drained 29 points and Pau Gasol 26 as Western Conference leaders the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Golden State Warriors 124-121.

The Lakers were almost denied a third straight win at the death, however, as Stephen Curry and Monta Ellis both missed with three-point efforts in the final moments that would have forced overtime.

Curry nevertheless ended with scored 29 points for the slumping Warriors.

New York duo Danilo Gallinari and Toney Douglas made the difference as the Knicks eased to a 94-84 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Gallinari scored 21 points Douglas weighed in with 20 as the Knicks extended the 76ers' losing streak to five games.

Al Harrington added 15 points for the Knicks while Jrue Holiday top-scored for Philadelphia with 18.

Carlos Boozer scored 23 points as the Utah Jazz defeated the Washington Wizards 112-89.

Deron Williams also added 17 points and 11 assists for the hosts while Andray Blatche scored 24 points in defeat for the Wizards, who saw their losing streak increase to eight games.

A balanced Boston Celtics display secured a one-sided 119-93 victory over the Detroit Pistons.

Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Michael Finley weighed in with 15 points each while Kevin Garnett drained 14 points and had eight rebounds.

Will Bynum chipped in with 16 points and seven assists for the ailing Pistons.

The New Orleans Hornets condemned the Clippers to an eighth straight loss with a 108-100 victory in Los Angeles.

David West scored 24 points for the victors, who also benefited to the tune of 18 points and 14 assists from Darren Collison.

Emeka Okafor was the Hornet's stand-out performer with 14 rebounds and 12 points.