OKLAHOMA CITY — In their last two trips to Oklahoma City, the Nuggets needed Carmelo Anthony to hit a game-winning shot in the final seconds.
Friday at the Ford Center, Anthony missed his third consecutive game and the Nuggets needed far more than a last-ditch shot, as the Thunder snapped the Nuggets’ eight-game winning streak with a 101-84 decision.
Just a day after being named to his first NBA All-Star Game, Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant had 30 points.
In the final three minutes, all Durant had to do was watch from the bench as the Thunder led comfortably.
The Nuggets were undone in the third quarter, when the Thunder outscored them 28-15.
The Nuggets were just 5-of-16 from the floor in the quarter and finished the game 27-of-67 (40.3 percent) from the field.
Oklahoma City dominated in the paint, outscoring the Nuggets 54-20.
Chauncey Billups scored 19 to lead the Nuggets and added seven assists.
J.R. Smith scored 18, but just three of those came after halftime, as Smith was just 1-of-5 from the field in the second half.
Durant reached the 30-point mark for the 26th time this season. Durant is the only player in the league with more games of 30 points or more than Anthony (22).
Denver fell to 5-3 in games Anthony hasn’t played in this season.
