DENVER (Ticker) -- A true team effort helped the Denver Nuggets pick up rookie Carmelo Anthony.
On a night when Anthony struggled, Andre Miller scored 17 points to lead six Nuggets in double figures in a 94-86 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.
Anthony, who came in averaging 17.1 points, was saddled with three fouls that limited him to three first-half minutes and did not have a basket until his 3-pointer gave Denver a 72-67 lead entering the fourth quarter.
"I picked up some early fouls," Anthony said. "I only played (three) minutes in the first half. I picked (it) up when it counted in the fourth quarter."
The Nuggets built a big lead without him before Miller and the rookie helped hold off a late rally by the Bucks.
After Michael Redd's layup pulled Milwaukee within 81-80 with just over five minutes to go, Denver ran off eight straight points. Miller capped it with a jumper for an 89-80 advantage with 2:33 left.
"We had to dig one out throughout the second half because we came out of the blocks very slowly," Denver coach Jeff Bzdelik said.
Rookie Francisco Elson scored 14 of his season-high 15 points in the first half and Anthony finished with 13 and 11 rebounds despite 2-of-11 shooting. Voshon Lenard netted 14 points, including a 3-pointer with 46 seconds remaining that opened a 92-83 cushion.
The Nuggets improved to 4-1 at home and 4-2 against Eastern Conference foes.
The bizarre game featured 16-0 runs by both teams. Denver turned in its big spurt in the second quarter as it took a 55-36 lead at halftime before Milwaukee answered by scoring the first 16 points of the second half, including a pair of 3-pointers by Tim Thomas.
"In the third quarter, we played with a lot more aggressiveness," Milwaukee coach Terry Porter said. "We drove the lane, kicked it out when we needed to and hit the shots."
Denver reserve Chris Andersen matched a career high with seven blocks to pace a strong effort by the bench. Earl Boykins and Jon Barry each netted 10 points.
"That's what I do - rebound and block shots," Andersen said. "That's my ability."
Milwaukee has lost consecutive games for the first time this season. Thomas scored 25 points and Michael Redd added 24, but the rest of the team was sporadic on offense.
