WASHINGTON (AP) Voshon Lenard scored 27 points and rookie Carmelo Anthony had 26 in his first NBA homecoming to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 117-87 rout of the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night.

The Nuggets took control with a 16-2 run in the third quarter to break a three-game losing streak and win for just the second time in 10 games. Denver, clinging to the final Western Conference playoff spot, moved 1{ games ahead of ninth-place Utah.

Gilbert Arenas scored 23 points, and Juan Dixon had 19 to lead the Wizards, who lost their third straight and assured themselves of their sixth consecutive losing season.

The 30-point margin of defeat was Washington's biggest of the season.

Pacers 94, Raptors 84, OT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Ron Artest shut down Vince Carter in the fourth quarter and the Indiana Pacers scored the first eight points of overtime to win their sixth straight game.

Jamaal Tinsley opened the extra period with a 3-pointer, Jermaine O'Neal hit a jumper and Reggie Miller added a deep 3-pointer as the shot clock was winding down to give Indiana an 89-81 lead.

Artest led Indiana with 23 points, and O'Neal overcame a poor shooting night to finish with 20 points and 18 rebounds.

Carter led Toronto with 28 points, but managed just one point after the third quarter. He missed two chances to put the Raptors ahead in the final 30 seconds of regulation.

Celtics 87, Knicks 84

NEW YORK (AP) Paul Pierce scored 23 points, including a difficult jumper with 24 seconds left, to give the Boston Celtics a six-game winning streak _ their longest of the season.

Pierce's shot from the left corner gave Boston an 85-82 lead, and Tim Thomas' drive brought the Knicks within one. Pierce gave Boston a two-point lead when he made one of two free throws with 17 seconds left.

On the ensuing possession, the Knicks ran the clock down before Stephon Marbury launched a long straightaway 3-pointer that hit the front of the rim. Ricky Davis grabbed the rebound with 0.5 seconds left.

Allan Houston scored 23 and Thomas had 17 for the Knicks, who had their three-game winning streak snapped.

Heat 100, Magic 89

MIAMI (AP) Reserve Rasual Butler scored 19 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and Eddie Jones also scored 19 for the Heat, who have won three straight.

Miami never trailed after Rafer Alston's 3-pointer with 2:31 left in the first quarter put the Heat ahead, 24-22. Orlando tied it twice in the third quarter.

Butler's 3-pointer with 58.2 seconds remaining put Miami ahead 95-84, securing the victory.

Orlando's Tracy McGrady led all scorers with 26 points. Juwan Howard added 24.

MORE