Cleveland ? The kid from the local high school stole the show — and all LeBron James could do was watch.

Tiny Earl Boykins, who grew up in Cleveland, scored all 18 of his points in the second half as the Denver Nuggets ruined James’ hyped home debut Wednesday night, 93-89, over the winless Cavaliers.

Oh, and the James vs. Carmelo Anthony rivalry? Let’s just say it needs some work. Maybe it’s a good thing they’ll play just once more this season.

“I’m glad it’s over,” said Anthony, who led Syracuse to an NCAA title as a freshman and next will meet James Dec. 3 in Denver. “I ain’t seen this much media since the national championship game.”

Anthony outscored James 14-7 in the eagerly awaited matchup between the NBA’s two star rookies. But neither was able to get into the flow and disappointed a sellout crowd of 20,562, which kept waiting for one of them to take over.

Instead, it was the 5-foot-5 Boykins who made all the big shots and plays.

“I’m kind of glad Earl stole the show,” Anthony said. “That keeps the pressure off me.”

Boykins, who has twice played for the Cavaliers, scored 10 points in the third quarter to help the Nuggets take control.

After the score was tied at 55-all, Denver got a pair of 3-pointers from Jon Barry and two from Boykins while outscoring Cleveland 22-9 to close the period.

Denver's Carmelo Anthony (15) drives past Cleveland's LeBron James during the second quarter. Anthony won the battle between the two standout rookies with 14 points -- compared to seven for James -- and the Nuggets won the game, 93-89, Wednesday in Cleveland.

Boykins added eight more points in the fourth as the Nuggets, who tied Cleveland for the NBA’s worst record (17-65) a year ago, held off a late Cavaliers’ comeback.

Following the game, Boykins turned around in the locker room and saw a group of reporters waiting for him.

“Uh, guys. Carmelo dresses over there,” he said with a smile. “You guys came to see a show. I came here to win a game. You always want to play good when you come home. I just came to play”

Yet another former Cleveland point guard, Andre Miller, made two free throws in the final 23 seconds to seal Denver’s third win of the season.

James and the Cavaliers still are looking for win No. 1, and the top overall draft pick now is 0-4 as a pro and 0-3 in his career against his close friend Anthony. The two faced each other twice while in high school.

“I don’t want to say I’m disappointed,” James said. “We need to get a win — simple as that.”

Wizards 100, Mavs 90

Washington — Gilbert Arenas had 25 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists for Washington’s first triple-double since 1999, and Dallas guard Steve Nash suffered a shoulder injury. Nash played only seven minutes, contributing two points and two assists before leaving in the first quarter with a strained left shoulder. The extent of the injury was not immediately disclosed. Antawn Jamison scored 21 points off the bench and Antoine Walker had 18 for the Mavericks, whose three-game winning streak ended.

Kings 125, Timberwolves 121, OT

Minneapolis — Peja Stojakovic scored 26 of his 34 points after halftime, leading Sacramento to a wild overtime victory over Minnesota. Mike Bibby scored 22 points for Sacramento, and Bobby Jackson and Vlade Divac each had 19. Divac added eight rebounds and 10 assists, and Brad Miller fouled out in the extra period with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Kevin Garnett had 28 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota, but he missed a tying shot in the lane late in overtime. Latrell Sprewell had 23 points and eight assists, but couldn’t get a potential game-winner off in time at the end of regulation.

Bulls 106, Magic 100

Orlando, Fla. — Donyell Marshall had 25 points and 11 rebounds, and Jamal Crawford scored 29 points as Chicago handed Orlando its fourth straight loss. Chicago also got 22 points and nine rebounds from Tyson Chandler, and Jalen Rose had 10 points and five assists. Tracy McGrady led Orlando with 23 points, but only one in the fourth quarter. Tyronn Lue added 19 points, Juwan Howard 14 and former Kansas University standout Drew Gooden scored 13.

Hornets 106, 76ers 99, OT

Philadelphia — Baron Davis scored 37 points to lead New Orleans to an overtime victory over Philadelphia. Allen Iverson scored 29 and Glenn Robinson added 20 in his home debut for the Sixers, who beat the Hornets in six games to advance to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. New Orleans is off to a 4-1 start under first-year coach Tim Floyd. The Sixers are 2-3 under Randy Ayers, also in his first season.

Pistons 96, Celtics 88

Auburn Hills, Mich. — Chauncey Billups scored 27 points, and Richard Hamilton added 16 points and eight rebounds to lead Detroit to its third straight win. Billups scored 11 points in the fourth quarter, including three three-pointers, and finished as one of five Pistons in double figures. Tayshaun Prince scored 14, while Ben Wallace had 13 rebounds. KU product Paul Pierce paced Boston with 20 points and 10 assists, while Vin Baker added 20 points.

Bucks 106, Knicks 90

New York — Tim Thomas scored 19 of his 22 points in the second half, and Toni Kukoc had 21 to lead Milwaukee to a comeback win over New York. Michael Redd added 17 points and T.J. Ford had 15 points and four assists for the Bucks, who trailed 50-44 at halftime but took control in the third quarter by outscoring the Knicks 33-23. Allan Houston, nursing a sore back, scored 35 points and Keith Van Horn added 19 for the Knicks.

Jazz 91, Suns 80

Salt Lake City — Matt Harpring scored 21 points, DeShawn Stevenson had 16 points and eight rebounds and Utah extended its surprising start by beating Phoenix. Carlos Arroyo returned after missing two games with an ankle sprain and finished with 14 points and four assists for the Jazz, whose rebuilding season is off to a 3-1 start — the team’s best since going 5-0 in 2000-01.

Warriors 99, Hawks 72

Oakland, Calif. — Jason Richardson had 16 points and 10 rebounds in his first game back from suspension, and Nick Van Exel scored 12 points in his Golden State debut. Erick Dampier had 11 points and 18 rebounds for Golden State, which began a five-game homestand with an easy victory and the addition of two starters.

Trail Blazers 93, Grizzlies 87

Portland, Ore. — Zach Randolph had 20 points and 16 rebounds to lead Portland. Bonzi Wells scored 10 of his 17 points in the first quarter for the Blazers, who led by as many as 22 points. Mike Miller had 19 points before fouling out for the Grizzlies, who had won their last two games.