J.R. Smith, Nuggets
113-109 win vs. Bulls
36 pts, 13-24 FG, 5-11 3-pt FG

Kobe Bryant, Lakers
105-101 win vs. Clippers
40 pts, 12-23 FG, 1-1 3-pt FG

Tayshaun Prince, Pistons
97-87 win at Sixers
25 pts, 9-13 FG, 2-2 3-pt FG

When Jamaal Tinsley is healthy, he is a dangerous player. For the first time in years, it seems as though he is back to threatening opposing teams with his vast array of weapons. After reaching 10 points only two times in his first eight games this season, the guard reached 15 Tuesday for the third straight contest. He posted 17 points, nine assists, six rebounds, two steals and a block in a comeback win over the Bucks.

Jerry Stackhouse, Mavericks
107-80 win vs. Wizards
2-14 FG, 1-5 3-pt FG, 7 pts

Ersan Ilyasova, Bucks
93-88 loss at Pacers
1-8 FG, 1-6 3-pt FG 3 pts

Gary Payton, Heat
101-86 loss at Hornets
2-9 FG, 4 pts

Carmelo Anthony was in prime position to add another accolade to his treasure chest along with an NCAA national title and an appearance with USA Basketball this summer. Anthony was one point shy of breaking Alex English's Nuggets record of six straight 30-point games when he went to the free-throw line with 12.6 seconds to play. But after going 10-for-10 from the line until that point, the league's leading scorer missed both attempts. He had to settle for 29 points and a tie in the Denver recordbook along with English, who is now an assistant coach with the Raptors. The Nuggets did improve to 5-1 in their last six games behind Anthony's 29 and a career-high 36 from J.R. Smith, acquired from Chicago in the offseason, in a 113-109 win over the Bulls.

Tyson Chandler and Al Harrington had more in common Tuesday night than just being traded in the offseason. Chandler and Harrington combined for just 14 points on 5-of-16 shooting on Tuesday night, but their shooting lines hardly reveal how much they helped their teams. Both Chandler's Hornets and Harrington's Pacers pulled away late for victories, and each of them played a critical role. Chandler, who entered the night averaging nearly 11 rebounds a night, pulled down 18 boards in a 101-86 win over the Hornets. Harrington added 18 rebounds of his own, including seven on the offensive glass, as the Pacers closed the game on a 14-0 spurt in a 93-88 triumph over the Bucks.

With the Clippers establishing themselves as a legitimate rival to the Lakers last season by advancing a round further in the playoffs, Kobe Bryant and Co. restored order on Tuesday with a 105-101 win. Bryant started strong with 20 points in the first quarter and saved plenty for the game's decisive moments. He finished with 40 points - his highest total since offseason knee surgery - and scored 10 of those in the final six minutes. He pushed a one-point lead to three on a layup with 2:40 to go and added three more points the rest of the way.

Damon Jones was one of several Cavaliers to have a cold night from the floor in Saturday's loss to the Wizards. After winning five straight before Saturday, Cleveland needed a spark to regain its winning ways on Tuesday and Jones was more than happy to provide. Jones was ejected Saturday for the first time in his career and apologized to his teammates for his behavior. Jones, who entered Tuesday with an average of 8.4 points a game, poured in 21 on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor in a 97-94 victory.

A night after the best game so far in his young career, Kyle Lowry experienced the complete other end of the spectrum. The 6-foot guard out of Villanova scored four points on 1-of-4 shooting before leaving Tuesday night's loss to the Cavs with an injured wrist.

Bakari Hendrix is bringing his extensive resume to the expansion Colorado 14ers of the D-League. Hendrix, the CBA Rookie of the Year in 1999, made the starting roster for the Jazz the next season and also spent several seasons in Europe. The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Hendrix netted 19 points in Tuesday's 97-94 win over the Stampede.