Kevin Martin scored 30 of his 37 points in the second half as the surging Houston Rockets withstood a career-high 50 points from Carmelo Anthony and defeated the host Denver Nuggets, 108-103, on Monday for their third straight victory.

Martin made 12-of-26 shots and 9-of-12 free throws as he eclipsed 30 points for the third time in four games and helped the Rockets continue their climb into playoff contention in the Western Conference.

Anthony, trying to compensate for the absence of center Nene and the early exit of guard Chauncey Billups, made 16-of-24 shots and 16-of-18 free throws, adding 11 rebounds. It wasn't enough as the Nuggets (30-22) lost their second straight at home and fell four games behind Oklahoma City in the Northwest Division.

Luis Scola scored 25 points for the Rockets (25-28), who had lost their previous two games to the Nuggets this season. Scola has averaged 25.7 points in the three games.

Playing without suspended guard Aaron Brooks, Houston started the second half with a 19-6 run – sparked by Martin’s 11 points and Scola’s six – and took a 71-56 lead. The Rockets led, 81-66, after three quarters, and were 7-of-8 from the line in the final minute as the Nuggets made it close.

Billups left in the first quarter with a left knee strain and did not return. Backup Ty Lawson had 19 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Nene, who leads the NBA with a .644 field goal percentage, sat out with the flu.

The Nuggets fell to 28-7 this season when they score at least 103 points.

Anthony also scored 50 against New York on Nov. 27, 2009.