Anthony leads Denver past Lakers

DENVER (AP) - Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and 13 rebounds to rally the Denver Nuggets past Los Angeles 118-112 on Thursday night, handing the Lakers their first loss of the season.

Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 34 points and Pau Gasol had 17 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers, who were trying to win their first nine games for the first time since the 1997-98 season.

Bryant came in needing 17 points to reach 26,000 for his career. He hit the milestone with a 13-foot jumper 49 seconds into the third quarter.

Nene had 18 points and Ty Lawson scored 17 for the Nuggets, who snapped a two-game skid.

Down 105-103, the Nuggets took over. A 3-pointer by J.R. Smith and two baskets by Anthony sparked an 11-0 run that gave Denver the lead for good.

Los Angeles was leading by 10 early in the fourth when the Nuggets rallied behind Lawson. The speedy point guard scored 11 points in a 16-0 run that gave them a 101-95 lead.

Shannon Brown's putback dunk and 3-pointer keyed an 8-0 Lakers spurt that gave the two-time defending NBA champions a 103-101 lead.

The Lakers led by five at halftime but opened a 14-point lead with a 13-2 surge to start the third quarter. Derek Fisher hit a 3-pointer and Bryant scored six quick points to spark the run.

The Nuggets made a run of their own and cut the lead to 79-74 on Al Harrington's 3-pointer. Bryant answered right back with two of his own to push the lead to 85-76 with 4:20 left in the third.

Smith's three-point play got Denver within 89-85 late in the third, but Anthony was called for a loose-ball foul and a technical on Los Angeles' next possession. Bryant hit the free throw and Brown nailed a 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 93-85 lead heading into the fourth.

Bryant struggled from the field in the first half, shooting 4 of 14 for 13 points. He was 11 for 32 for the game.

The teams traded leads throughout the first half. The Lakers finished the second quarter on a 9-4 run to take a 64-59 lead at the break.

Notes: Bryant is the youngest player (32 years, 80 days) in NBA history to reach 26,000 points, besting Wilt Chamberlain by 34 days. ... Lakers F Theo Ratliff sat out with tendinitis in his left knee.