Nuggets whip Warriors, 135-107

The Denver Nuggets led by Chris Anderson and his 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocks got payback against the (6-11) Golden State Warriors Tuesday night at the Pepsi Center 135-107.

Denver (13-5) beat Golden State in every statistical category: score, 28; rebounds, 24; rebounds, 15; assists, 15; and blocks, four.

Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 25 points, and Nene led the Nuggets in boards with 12. Melo contributed seven rebounds.

Chauncey Billups bounced back from a poor offensive night against Minnesota with 22 points and eight rebounds, including two featured ally-oop assists, one to Anderson and one to Kenyon Martin.

Young guard Anthony Morrow showed promise for the youthful and injury-depleted Warriors with 27 points. Besides Morrow, there were no bright spots for the Warriors. With star center Andris Biedrins and starting power forward Ronny Turiaf out, the Warriors lacked rebounding and post offense.

Golden State relied on jump shots, but stellar defense from the Nuggets slowed down the dangerous Warriors. With the exception of a first-quarter lapse, the Nuggets looked as good on defense as they did last year, which included a trip to the Western Conference Finals.

Nuggets reserves Anthony Carter, Malik Allen, Joey Graham and Johan Petro got minutes in the blowout win. Each of the players had four points, with Carter adding four assists.

The other two reserves, J.R. Smith and Ty Lawson, contributed solid games as well. Smith netted 10 points with four assists, and Lawson scored 13 points with five assists and five rebounds.

After hearing talk about one of the worst losses in NBA history Sunday night, the Nuggets responded with a statement in thrashing the Warriors. Denver will look to continue the payback Thursday night when it takes on the Miami Heat at the Pepsi Center.