Lakers star Kobe Bryant scored a season-high 34 points. He came into the contest needing 17 points to reach 26,000 for his career. He reached the milestone with a 13-foot jump shot 49 seconds into the third period.
At 32 years, 80 days, Bryant became the youngest player in NBA history to reach 26,000 points, besting Wilt Chamberlain by 34 days.
However, it wasn't enough to lift the Lakers to their first 9-0 start since the 1997-98 season.
"It was real big, especially against the Lakers," Anthony said.
Spain's Pau Gasol also did what he could, scoring 17 points and 20 rebounds for the Lakers.
Brazil's Nene had 18 points and Ty Lawson scored 17 for Denver, who snapped a two-game losing streak.
The Nuggets trailed 105-103 in the fourth quarter when a three-point shot by J.R. Smith and two baskets from Anthony keyed an 11-0 scoring run that gave Denver the lead for good.
The Lakers had led by 10 points early in the final period, but Denver rallied behind Lawson, who scored 11 points in a 16-0 scoring run that gave the Nuggets a 101-95 lead.
"I was just trying to attack," said Lawson, who finished with 17 points. "Their backcourt was a little stagnant and I wanted to speed up the game and negate their height." Los Angeles responded with an 8-0 run that put them back in front 103-101.
The teams had traded the lead throughout the first half. The Lakers finished the second quarter with a 9-4 scoring run to lead 64-59 at halftime.
"It was one of those games where it was run after run after run," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "I was waiting for our run to catch theirs but we didn't get it." The Nuggets, coping with injuries to Kenyon Martin and Chris Andersen, have been forced to go to a smaller lineup this season.
Size didn't matter against the Lakers.
"With a small lineup they open the floor and they're more of an attack mode," Gasol said. "They're very capable of making runs and getting hot, especially at home."
The Boston Celtics led throughout in their win over Miami beating the Heat for the second time this NBA season and handing them a second straight home loss.
Ray Allen hit his first seven 3-point tries and finished with 35 points, while Paul Pierce added 25 for Boston, which has won 13 of the last 14 regular-season meetings in addition to eliminating Miami in the opening round of last season's playoffs.
Boston led by as much as 20 points. The Heat got within three points with 13 seconds left, but Allen hit two free throws to seal it.
Miami's LeBron James finished with 35 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, narrowly missing his second straight triple-double.
In Chicago, the hosts dashed to a 30-point lead in the first half and cruised through the second for a big win over Golden State.
Luol Deng scored 26 points while Derrick Rose had 22 points and 13 assists for his third double double of the season. He finished one assist shy of his career best, which he's increased twice already this season.
Monta Ellis had 24 points to lead the Warriors, who were playing without injured forward David Lee.
