DENVER (Ticker) -- Halftime did nothing to cool off rookie Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets.
Anthony scored 23 points and was part of a huge run that carried into the third quarter and lifted the Nuggets to a 108-87 victory over the Washington Wizards.
Voshon Lenard added 19 points for Denver (7-5), which moved two games over .500 for the first time since it was 28-26 on February 18, 2001. After finishing last in the NBA in scoring last season, the Nuggets eclipsed 100 points for the fifth time this season.
Denver played perhaps its best game of the season, shooting 47 percent (44-of-93) and collecting 38 assists and 31 fast-break points. The Nuggets had shot below 40 percent in their last seven games.
"The players are playing unselfishly," Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik said. "Just a very satisfying win. We really tried to go wire to wire. Our shot selection improved greatly. We played a good all-around game in sharing the basketball."
"Thirty-eight assists on 44 baskets is an unbelievable number," Nuggets guard Jon Barry said. "When we get in transition and move the ball like that, we're awfully good."
The game featured 13 ties and 10 lead changes until a 3-pointer by Andre Miller gave Denver a 50-45 lead late in the first half and started the decisive 20-5 run.
Anthony, who made 10-of-18 shots and handed out seven assists, sank a 3-pointer to close the half and opened the third quarter with a jumper. Lenard made a pair of 3-pointers, including one that capped the burst at 67-50 with 6:41 left.
"Some nights I feel like I want it too bad," said the 19-year-old Anthony, who shook off a pair of poor shooting games. "Like tonight, I hit the open shot when I had it, drove to the lane when I had it and passed the ball. When I play like that, it's pretty hard for us to lose."
"He's going to have his 19 year-old games," Bzdelik said. "But he's also still going to have his games where he's a real pro."
In the third quarter, the Nuggets shot 55 percent (11-of-20) and held the Wizards to 27 percent (6-of-23).
"We were sharing the ball," said Miller, who had 15 points and eight assists. "Everybody got involved. Guys knocked down some shots and we actually rebounded the ball well and were able to get some easy shots."
"They run, they are athletic, and they play above the rim," Wizards coach Eddie Jordan said. "They also have a special player in Carmelo. The West has another team to reckon with."
Gilbert Arenas scored 27 points for Washington, which trailed by 20 points entering the fourth quarter and got no closer than 13 thereafter. The Wizards had a two-game winning streak snapped as they opened a four-game road trip.
