Turnovers stamp out Bobcats

Carmelo Anthony scored 36 points and the Denver Nuggets forced Charlotte into a franchise-worst 29 turnovers in a 108-101 victory over the Bobcats on Sunday.

J.R. Smith and Andre Miller each added 17 points for the Nuggets, who scored 26 points off Charlotte’s miscues to pick up their second straight win after an 0-3 start.

Brevin Knight scored 21 points but had seven turnovers, and Emeka Okafor had 22 points and 15 rebounds for the sloppy Bobcats, who have lost three in a row.

Rookie Adam Morrison struggled again, scoring just two points on 1-of-8 shooting.

Anthony, who shot 13 for 22 and made 10 of 11 free throws, continually beat the Bobcats down the floor and inside.

Clippers 92, Hornets 76: At Los Angeles, Elton Brand had 22 points and 10 rebounds and five other players scored in double figures for the Clippers, who forced New Orleans into 26 turnovers.

New Orleans had 12 turnovers in the first quarter – including two shot-clock violations 47 seconds apart. Reserve forward Cedric Simmons coughed up the ball three times during a span of 70 seconds after replacing Tyson Chandler, who picked up two fouls in the first 6 1/2 minutes.

Nets 105, Wizards 93 (OT): At Washington, Vince Carter’s 34 points included a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to force overtime, and Jason Kidd’s 77th career triple-double included 18 assists, leading New Jersey to a victory over Washington.

Kidd had 15 points, 11 rebounds and 18 assists for the Nets.

The Nets held Gilbert Arenas to 6 for 23 shooting and 25 points.

Rockets 94, Heat 72: At Miami, Yao Ming easily won his matchup with Shaquille O’Neal, finishing with 34 points and 14 rebounds to lead Houston to its fourth straight victory, over Miami.

Yao scored 20 points in the second half, when Houston outscored Miami by 25 points.

Kings 107, Raptors 92: At Sacramento, Calif., Kevin Martin had 26 points, six rebounds and made all eight of his free throws, and Sacramento extended its home winning streak against Toronto to nine games with a victory.

Ron Artest scored 15 of his 23 points in the first period and Mike Bibby added 21 points.

Mavericks 103, Trail Blazers 96: At Portland, Ore., Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points and 10 rebounds, and Dallas was able to hold off short-handed Portland to get the victory.

Lakers 91, Grizzlies 81: At Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant scored 21 points, Lamar Odom had 20 points and 16 rebounds, and Los Angeles beat Memphis.

Andrew Bynum added 11 points, Smush Parker had 10 and Odom had seven assists.