Anthony leads Nuggets to win in China basketball

A mean and lean Carmelo Anthony thrilled a capacity crowd in Beijing on Sunday, scoring 45 points and leading the Denver Nuggets to a 128-112 win over the Indiana Pacers at the NBA's 2009 China Games.

The six-foot-eight (2.03 metre) power forward scored 17 third-period points as the Nuggets jumped to a 90-71 lead with four minutes left in the quarter to all but seal the win and avenge a 126-104 loss to Indiana in Taipei on Thursday.

"It was just one of those days. I felt good.... I got going and the shot was falling," Anthony said after the game, played in front of 17,000 spectators.

"After the game in Taiwan we lost, we wanted to redeem ourselves. Tonight we came out and played the way we know how to play."

The explosive Anthony, who last played in Beijing's Wukesong Gymnasium while winning the 2008 Olympic gold medal with the United States, made 14 of 19 shots and 16 of 17 free throws, scoring 28 of his points in 15 first-half minutes.

"What better place to (score 45 points) than here in Beijing, where I won a gold medal," he added.

The National Basketball Association has aggressively promoted its brand in China. It says up to 450 million people watch NBA games on television in China, making the nation the league's biggest market outside the United States in revenue terms.

Sunday's match-up was the eighth staged in China by the world's top basketball league since 2004.

Indiana jumped out to an 11 point lead in the second quarter before Anthony returned to the court to score seven consecutive points and help Denver take a 58-57 halftime lead.

Anthony, who arrived at training camp 15 pounds (7.5 kilogrammes) lighter than last season, scored on a variety of jump shots and drives to the basket in just over 24 minutes of playing time.

"It's a privelege to coach a player that can take over the game, that can dominate the game. He seemed to be incredibly difficult to defend, no one could stop him," Denver coach George Karl said of Anthony's performance.

"Our attitude is that everyone needs to get better than last year. You know it is hard to ask an All Star to get better, but I think Melo is focused on having the best year of his career."

Denver centre Nene chipped in 21 points and five rebounds for the winners, while the Pacers were led by second-year centre Roy Hibbert, who scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds.