The Nuggets led 63-58 at half-time but Kobe Bryant (39 points), Lamar Odom (17 points) and Luke Walton (14 points) combined to draw the Lakers level at 86-86 going into the final change.

However, Anthony, Marcus Camby (21 points and 20 rebounds) and Allen Iverson (20 points) made sure the Nuggets left Los Angeles with the upset victory.

In Minnesota, LeBron James scored 31 points and pulled down 12 rebounds to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 101-88 thrashing of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Cavaliers led 33-21 at quarter time and despite the best efforts of Kevin Garnett (22 points) and Randy Foye (18 points), cruised to an easy victory.

James was 13-of-24 from the field while Drew Gooden (20 points) and Sasha Pavlovic (13 points) provided plenty of support for the Cavs.

In Memphis, Amare Stoudemire netted 27 points and Leandro Barbosa hit 24, including five three-pointers, as the Phoenix Suns defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 116-111.

Shawn Marion (17 points), Steve Nash (15 points and 17 assists) and James Jones (14 points) all contributed for the Suns, while Pau Gasol (24 points) and Hakim Warrick (23 points) were best for the Grizzlies.

In other matches the Miami Heat edged past the Toronto Raptors 92-89, the Detroit Pistons proved too strong for the Indiana Pacers 100-85 and the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Sacramento Kings 97-93

In more lop-sided encounters, the Charlotte Bobcats overpowered the Washington Wizards 122-102, the New Orleans Hornets downed the Milwaukee Bucks 119-101 and the San Antonio Spurs thrashed the Seattle Supersonics 110-91.