Carmelo Anthony grabbed a crucial rebound and sank two game-changing free throws last Thursday to secure a 97-94 victory for the Denver Nuggets over the Portland Trailblazers.

Anthony had an impressive 41-point showing.

With 13 seconds left in regulation, Denver was hanging on to the one-point lead. Chauncey Billups missed a jumper and the possession changed hands. Portland then organized a play for Greg Oden and he was fouled by Kenyon Martin.

With five seconds on the clock, Oden muffed both his charities and Anthony grabbed the rebound. He was immediately fouled by Martell Webster. Anthony made both free throws to add to the lead of Denver.

Roy, who scored 30 points in the game, missed an attempt to tie the game as the buzzer sounded. 

Last Thursday, Serena Williams defeated Elena Dementieva to earn a semifinal berth at the Sony Ericsson Championships at Doha, Qatar.

Williams, who will reclaim the world No. 1 slot when the new rankings are announced on Monday, has won three straight in the round robin segment of the event. She went on a six-game winning streak to oust Dementieva, who had controlled the earlier parts of the first set.

“It was definitely a match I had to be really focused for because she's a really good player,” explained Williams. “She's one of those late bloomers who tends to get better and better and better as every year goes on [and] I was probably playing the most fit girl on tour.”

In another match, Svetlana Kuznetsova lost 6-2, 6-7 (3-7), 6-4 to Venus Williams. Venus, who is seeded seventh in the event, is the defending champion.