NEW ORLEANS, Apr 28 – Carmelo Anthony scored all 26 of his points in the third quarter as Denver humiliated New Orleans 121-63 on Monday in a game that equalled the most lopsided win in NBA playoff history.
Denver shot 57 percent (33-of-58) through the first three quarters, when Chauncey Billups scored all of his 17 points. Nene added 13 points and Dahntay Jones 12.
Denver led 89-50 at one point in the third quarter and they didn’t let up as they matched the Minneapolis Lakers 133-75 demolition of the St. Louis Hawks in 1956.
"I wouldn’t have thought that we would win by 58 points," Anthony said. "I never thought anyone could win by 58 points in the playoffs."
Denver reserve centre Chris Andersen, cut loose by New Orleans after last season, had 11 points and eight rebounds. Linas Kleiza had 14 points and J.R. Smith 12.
The Nuggets stymied Denver all-star Chris Paul, whose four points and six assists amounted to one of the worst games of his career.
It was the first time Paul, who did not play in the fourth quarter, had ever scored fewer than 14 points in a playoff game.
The Nuggets can close out the series at home in game five on Wednesday.
David West was the Hornets’ high scorer with 14 points, while James Posey had 12.
Denver held New Orleans to only 31.5 percent shooting and forced the Hornets into a franchise playoff-high 27 turnovers, which led to 41 Nuggets points.
