CLEVELAND (AP) -- Carmelo Anthony scored 33 points, Arron Afflalo added 23 and the Denver Nuggets avoided any embarrassment by beating Cleveland 117-103 on Friday night, handing the pathetic Cavaliers their team record-tying 19th straight loss.
Still winless in 2011, the Cavs have also dropped 29 of 30 and are now just five losses away from breaking the NBA record of 23 consecutive defeats in one season, an inglorious mark shared by the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies (1995-96) and Nuggets (1997-98).
Melo and the Nuggets showed little compassion for the Cavs, who rallied within six in the fourth but couldn't get any closer.
J.J. Hickson had 24 points and 14 rebounds for Cleveland, which lost its final 19 games in 1981-82.
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