25 November,2009 01:05 PM IST | | AFP
The New Jersey Nets slid closer to the NBA's record of 17 losses to start a season by dropping their 14th game in a row on Tuesday, falling to the Denver Nuggets 101-87.
Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points while Nene Hilario added 17 to spark the Nuggets past the Nets, who fell to 0-14.
The Nets are trying to avoid the record worst winless start at 0-17 set by Miami in their inaugural 1988-89 season and matched by the Los Angeles Clippers in the strike-shortened 1998-99 season.
Rafer Alston and Devin Harris each scored 19 points to lead New Jersey, which began a four-game western road trip with the loss. The Nets visit Portland, Sacramento and the reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers.
ALSO READ
NBA stars come out in support of gun control
NBA: Carmelo Anthony shines as Denver Nuggets beat New York Knicks
Pistons beat Nuggets to spoil Anthony's 40-point performance
Nuggets spoil ex-teammate Iverson's return to 76ers
NBA: Carmelo Anthony reaches 20,000 career points, leads Knicks over Hornets
If they don't win before they face Dallas at home, the Nets will be trying to avoid setting a new futility standard against the Mavericks.
The latest loss adds to the pressure on Nets coach Lawrence Frank, who won his first 13 games after he was promoted to the job in January 2004 but now owns a losing streak even longer.
