Denver, CO (My Sportsbook) - Carmelo Anthony finished with a game-high 22 points and Linas Kleiza came off the bench to post 20, as Denver snapped its three-game losing streak with a 112-99 triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Renaldo Balkman took advantage of extended minutes and logged 14 points and 14 rebounds for the Nuggets, who had lost eight of 12 since the All-Star break.

Chauncey Billups added 17 points and nine assists, while Anthony Carter, who came back from a four-game absence due to a hip injury, passed out 12 helpers for the victors.

Jeff Green gave 19 points and seven rebounds for the Thunder, who had won five of six without their second-year star Kevin Durant (ankle). Earl Watson had a terrific all-around effort, as his 18 points, seven assists and six boards went for naught.

The Nuggets led from start to finish. J.R. Smith's three-pointer midway through the frame gave the hosts at 14-6 lead, which moved to 31-19 after one quarter of action.

The Thunder pulled within five later in the half, but Anthony hit back-to-back baskets for a 53-44 edge at the break.

A pair of Chris Andersen makes bookended an 8-0 Denver spurt late in the third, and the hosts built an 83-70 advantage with a quarter to play.

Kleiza scored the first six points for the Nuggets in the fourth and Smith added a reverse slam for a 91-72 lead that stayed in double digits until Oklahoma City crept back with eight straight points to make it 101-92 with 3 1/2 minutes left.

Billups stopped the rally with a trey at the three-minute mark and the Nuggets held on from there.

Game Notes

Denver hasn't lost four in a row since February 14-24, 2007...Smith and Andersen ended with 11 and 10 points, respectively, for Denver, which made half of its 84 field goals attempts...Thabo Sefalosha went for 14 points and nine rebounds for the Thunder, who made 40.2 percent of their shots.