Denver forward Carmelo Anthony works the ball inside for a shot against Minnesota forward Rodney Carney during the third quarter Wednesday. Anthony scored 33 points in the quarter to tie George Gervin’s NBA record. Associated Press Photo.

Carmelo Anthony was simply trying to help the Denver Nuggets overcome a 12-point halftime deficit. He ended up tying a 30-year-old NBA record.

Anthony matched George Gervin’s league mark for points in a quarter with 33 in the third and finished with a season-high 45 points in Denver’s 116-105 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night.

“I’ve never been a part of a quarter like that before,” Anthony said. “I just felt that good. I can’t explain it. My 3-ball was going in, driving to the basket, getting fouled. Just the complete game tonight.”

Anthony tied Gervin’s record set in the second quarter for San Antonio against New Orleans on April 9, 1978, and broke the franchise mark of 32 set by David Thompson against Detroit — also on April 9, 1978.

The former Syracuse star was 16-of-29 from the field, going 4-for-8 from 3-point range, and also led Denver with 11 rebounds. He outscored Minnesota 33-22 in the big quarter to help Denver take a six-point lead into the fourth.

“He was taking a lot of his shots from the outside, and those are the ones we wanted him to take,” Minnesota forward Ryan Gomes said. “But tonight was a night where they were all going in.”

After scoring nine points in the first half, Anthony had 24 straight points for the Nuggets at one point in the third quarter. His steal and dunk sparked Denver’s rally and he pumped his fist after hitting a 3-pointer that tied it at 60.

He also overcame a sore right elbow.

“I was fighting through the pain. It was all good, though,” Anthony said. “Once my 3-ball was going, I knew I’d be in pretty good shape.”

Anthony had three points in the fourth quarter before leaving to a standing ovation with 52.7 seconds left and Denver ahead by 11.

“Pretty incredible explosion,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “We needed it, too.”

Chauncey Billups added 22 points in Denver’s eighth straight win over Minnesota.

“I’ve played against some great ones and played with some great ones,” Billups said. “That’s the best I’ve ever seen in a 12-minute span. He was awesome.”

Al Jefferson had 26 points and 12 rebounds, and Randy Foye also scored 26 points for Minnesota. The Timberwolves have lost seven straight games, the past two after Kevin McHale took over as head coach Monday.

Cavaliers 101, 76ers 93

At Philadelphia, LeBron James scored 29 points, Mo Williams added a season-high 27 and Cleveland cruised to its 10th consecutive victory.

The Cavaliers, a win shy of tying the franchise record of 11 straight set in 1988-89, are 18-1 in their past 19 games, 19-3 overall and 7-3 on the road.

Andre Iguodala had a season-high 27 points for Philadelphia.

Lakers 115, Suns 110

At Los Angeles, Pau Gasol scored 28 points for Los Angeles, and Kobe Bryant had seven of his 18 points in the last 6 1/2 minutes.

Matt Barnes had season highs with 25 points and 10 rebounds to lead Phoenix.

The Suns played without Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and Sean Singletary, traded to Charlotte earlier Wednesday for Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley and a 2010 second-round pick. Phoenix also was without former Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal, whose 92-year-old great-grandmother died this week.

Raptors 101, Pacers 88

At Toronto, Jason Kapono scored a season-high 25 points, Chris Bosh added 21 points and 10 rebounds and Toronto snapped a five-game losing streak to improve to 1-3 since interim coach Jay Triano took over for the fired Sam Mitchell.

Danny Granger led Indiana with 22 points, and Troy Murphy had 20 points and 20 rebounds. The Pacers have lost four straight and nine of 11.

Grizzlies 108, Thunder 102

At Oklahoma City, Rudy Gay had 22 points to help Memphis win consecutive games for the first time this season.

O.J. Mayo added 18 points to pass Magic Johnson for the third longest streak of double-figure games to start a career at 22. Only Dan Issel (27) and Bobby Jones (24) had longer streaks.

Kevin Durant had 28 points for Oklahoma City, an NBA-worst 2-22.

Hornets 105, Bobcats 89

At New Orleans, Chris Paul had 15 points and 15 assists, and David West and Peja Stojakovic each scored 17 points in New Orleans’ seventh win in eight games.

Rookie D.J. Augustin had a career-high 28 points for Charlotte.

Knicks 121, Nets 109

At East Rutherford, N.J., Al Harrington scored a season-high 39 points for New York, and fellow former New Jersey prep star Tim Thomas added 26.

Devin Harris scored 32 points for New Jersey.

Spurs 95, Hawks 89

At San Antonio, Manu Ginobili scored 27 points in a return to his sixth-man role to help San Antonio extend its winning streak to four games.

Tim Duncan had 19 points and 11 rebounds. Joe Johnson led Atlanta with 29 points.

Warriors 119, Bucks 96

At Oakland, Calif., Stephen Jackson scored 21 points, C.J. Watson added 19 and Golden State won its second straight after a nine-game losing streak.

Michael Redd had 27 points for Milwaukee.