Los Angeles - For one quarter, Carmelo Anthony went into attack mode, and then into the NBA history books.

Anthony erupted for 45 points, including a league record-tying 33 in the third quarter, carrying the Nuggets to a 116-105 home victory over the slumping Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

"That was one of the greatest quarters I've ever been apart of," said Anthony, who added 11 rebounds to his ninth career game of 40 or more points. "The most important thing is we won the game tonight."

Anthony's third period explosion matched Hall of Famer George Gervin, who poured in 33 in the second period for San Antonio against New Orleans on April 9, 1978.

It was the same night Denver's David Thompson dropped in 32 as the two battled for the league's scoring title on the final night of the regular-season.

Chauncey Billups added 24 points for Denver (15-7) which beat Minnesota for the eighth straight time.

"I have experienced some good quarters, that was the best I ever seen," he said. "Melo was awesome. He got us back in the game. He single-handedly put us on his back tonight and did what a lot of great players do."

Al Jefferson had 26 points with 12 rebounds, while Randy Foye also scored 26 for Minnesota (4-17) losers of seven straight and two in a row since Kevin McHale replaced fired Randy Wittman as head coach on Monday.

Anthony scored nine points on one-of-five shooting in the first half as the Nuggets trailed 54-44. However, the All-Star forward began to heat up in the third quarter.

He nailed a 3-pointer at the 6:30 mark and could not be stopped. At one point, he scored 26 consecutive points for Denver and closed the period with a driving layup to put the hosts up 84-78.

"I felt good out there in the quarter," said Anthony, who hit 12-of-25 shots in the period, including four 3-pointers.. "The goal felt like an ocean for me out there tonight."

Anthony had just three points in the final frame, allowing the pesky Timberwolves to make a game of it.

Foye and Jefferson drilled consecutive baskets to close within 94-92 with 6:47 left. But Denver responded. J. R Smith's converted a three-point play, Chris Andersen had a tip-in and Anthony's layup opened up a 101-92 cushion with 5:30 left.

Elsewhere:

Cleveland Cavaliers 101, Philadelphia 76ers 93: LeBron James scored 29 points, Mo Williams had a season-high 27 and the red-hot Cavaliers stretched their winning streak to a season-high 10.

Despite losing centre Zydrunas Ilgauskas to a left ankle sprain in the final quarter, Cleveland, (19-3) moved within one victory of equaling the franchise record of 11, set during the 1988-89 season.

Andre Iguodala matched his season-high with 27 points for the Sixers (9-13) who lost for the seventh time in the last nine games.

LA Lakers 115, Phoenix Suns 110: Spain's Pau Gasol scored 28 points, Kobe Bryant had 18 and the Western Conference-leading Lakers shaded the short-handed Suns.

Andrew Bynum added 17 points and 11 rebounds for the host Lakers (18-3) who were stunned at Sacramento on Tuesday night.

Matt Barnes had a season-high 25 points with 10 rebounds for Phoenix (13-10) which dressed just nine players as a result of trading Raja Bell and Boris Diaw to Charlotte earlier in the day, and Shaquille O'Neal attending the death of his 92-year-old grandmother.

New Orleans Hornets 105, Charlotte Bobcats 89: Chris Paul collected 15 points and 15 assists, sparking the host Hornets to their seventh win in the last eight games.

Rookie D. J. Augustin scored a career-high 28 points as Charlotte (7-15) dropped its fifth in a row.

San Antonio Spurs 95, Atlanta Hawks 89: Argentine Manu Ginobili scored 27 points, Tim Duncan had 19 with 11 rebounds and the Spurs (13-8) ran their winning streak to four games.

Joe Johnson tossed in 29 points for visiting Atlanta (12-9) losers of three in a row

New York Knicks 121, New Jersey Nets 109: Al Harrington had a season-high 39 points with 13 rebounds, and Tim Thomas scored 26, leading the visiting Knicks over their cross-river rivals.

Devin Harris topped New Jersey (11-9) with 32 points.

Toronto Raptors 101, Indiana Pacers 88: Sharpshooting Jason Kapono scored a season-high 25 points, Chris Bosh had 21 with 10 rebounds as the Raptors ended a five-game slide to give interim head coach Jay Triano his first win since replacing fired Sam Mitchell four games ago.

Danny Granger had 22 points while Troy Murphy had 20 with 20 rebounds for Indiana (7-14) losers of four in a row.

Memphis Grizzlies 108, Oklahoma City Thunder 102: Rudy Gay scored 22 points, and Mike Conley added 14 of his 16 in final quarter, carrying the visiting Grizzlies to their first two-game winning streak of the season. Kevin Durant had 28 points for league-worst Oklahoma City (2-22).

Golden State Warriors 119, Milwaukee Bucks 96 Stephen Jackson scored 21 points, while Andris Biedrins had 18 with 14 boards, leading the Warriors to their second straight victory following a nine-game slide. Michael Redd paced Milwaukee (9-15) with 27 points. (dpa)