Denver, CO (My Sportsbook) - Carmelo Anthony scored a career-high 50 points, as the Denver Nuggets pulled out a 128-125 victory over the New York Knicks at the Pepsi Center.

Anthony shot 17-for-28 from the field and made 15-of-16 free throws for the Nuggets, who got 32 points and eight assists from Chauncey Billups. J.R. Smith added 17 points as Denver recorded its fourth consecutive win.

"It couldn't have come at a better time," Anthony said of his first 50-point night. "This game right here, to win by a three, (it was) a tough game on our home court."

Al Harrington finished with 41 points and 10 rebounds for New York, which has dropped four in a row. David Lee added 23 points and 10 boards, while Larry Hughes had 16 in the setback.

"We played for 48 minutes, we played a complete game," Harrington said. "I think it's the first time we've done that all season. Tonight we didn't control the game, but we were right there."

In a tight game down the stretch a layup from Wilson Chandler and a Lee dunk put New York ahead, 111-110, with 3 1/2 minutes to play. But the Nuggets took the lead right back with five consecutive points, capped by a three-pointer from Smith for a 115-111 edge with just under three minutes left.

The teams traded points into the final minute, though Billups made two free throws with 41.7 seconds left to make it a 123-117 contest. Harrington countered with a three-point play before a Billups layup, and Chandler's trey with 18.5 on the clock got New York within 125-123.

Anthony was then fouled and made both shots, and Harrington drove for a lay-in to keep it a two-point contest with 6.4 seconds remaining. A foul sent Smith to the line, and he missed the first before making the second, leaving the Knicks a chance to tie with 4.4 left.

Nate Robinson got the inbound pass and got across halfcourt, but was faced with two defenders and didn't have a good look. He sent a cross-court pass for Hughes, who wasn't in position for a shot as time expired.

New York coach Mike D'Antoni protested, as it appeared that Hughes was fouled as he tried to set up for a three. But an instant replay supported the call as Denver took the victory.

The Knicks held a 30-26 lead after the first quarter and continued to lead in the second. Past the midway point, Lee capped a six-point burst with two free throws to make it a 52-44 New York advantage.

But Denver managed to overtake the lead before the break, as Billups drained a three and followed with two free throws with 2:07 left to get Denver within 56-55. The teams continued to trade points, and Billups' layup with 2.9 on the clock vaulted the Nuggets to a 61-60 edge at halftime.

Denver had a 92-87 lead going to the fourth.

Game Notes

Anthony's previous career high was 49 points, which he scored on February 8, 2008 against Washington...Neither team led by more than eight...The game featured 18 lead changes and nine ties...The Nuggets shot 45-for-84 (53.6 percent), including 10-for-19 from three-point range...The Knicks were 45- of-92, and made 13-of-31 threes.