Nene had 24 points and nine rebounds and the host Denver Nuggets overcame the ejection of Carmelo Anthony to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 105-94 on Wednesday night for their fifth straight victory.

Anthony was ejected with 2:40 left in the third quarter after picking up two technical fouls in a span of 44 seconds. The second came after Anthony renewed his argument with officials about what he thought should have been a goaltending call.

J.R. Smith had 20 points and 10 rebounds while Chauncey Billups had 16 points and nine assists for the Nuggets (11-6), who have won seven straight at home.

Denver trailed 50-45 at halftime but took the lead for good 62-61 on Nene’s three-point play with 5:31 left in the third quarter.

John Salmons scored 21 points and Corey Maggette returned to the lineup after missing two games with an ankle injury and scored 17 for the Bucks (6-12), who have lost four straight on the road and seven of eight overall.

Larry Sanders, filling in for injured center Andrew Bogut, had 14 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks while Brandon Jennings had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists for the Bucks.