關於 games like the past within ，我們在網路上蒐集到這些相關的討論、資訊與評價

#NFTsummer A few weeks ago, we interviewed Xixi Huang (AW#17) in Mandarin and as the AppWorks Fellow who helps us out on the blockchain side, Xixi has a lot of ideas that are worth sharing to a bigger audience. Here's his interview in English:

西西 (Xixi) 黃士晉 is an AppWorks #17 alumni and co-founder of Rydeit. His mission is to bring the applications of blockchain to everyday life because he believes that blockchain can make the world a more fair and better place. As an AppWorks Fellow, he is responsible for guiding founders to think about blockchain and providing insights on blockchain-related investment deals. Before AppWorks, he led his previous team to build more than 10 dapps, including famous games in Taiwan such as 柚子打魚 and Shrimp.Finance. Within a month of launching these games, they had amassed over NT$ 100M (~US$ 3.5M) in transactions. His favorite pastime is traveling with his grandma, and his ultimate goal is to persuade her to buy Bitcoin!

Check out what Xixi has to say about blockchain and NFTs.

#NFTevolution

I started to learn how to write smart contracts in 2016, and learned the entire logic of ERC-20 for tokens and ERC-721 for NFTs. While I was learning about NFTs, I realized that the combination of NFTs with video games was very fitting. In video games, the treasure and equipment you collect becomes virtual assets as NFTs. And the process of using smart contracts to exchange items was very efficient on the blockchain.

At the end of 2018, I designed and created a zombie video game, integrating the concept of playing and drawing cards and packs. Within a pack were 3 NFTs with zombies on them. As a player, the more cards with zombies you collect, the higher your score, and the more tokens you can ultimately earn. From this game, I got connected to other game manufacturers and publishers who were also interested in creating virtual game assets through NFTs. We all had the same idea -- NFTs can bring more meaning and value to the players.

However at the time, many people in the market still believed that tokens and games were riddled with fraud. Since the lifecycle of video games can be short, many traditional gaming companies in the end didn’t find it worthwhile to learn how to integrate NFTs or blockchain into their games.

While the nature of NFTs hasn’t changed, the market has evolved. People’s curiosities are growing, more applications are being developed, and more creators are cropping up. I think now is the right time to start talking to companies about how to integrate NFTs or blockchain into their businesses or games.

#NFTplayground

I think there are many opportunities to start a business these days, and people who want to start one should think about coming to blockchain. Not only is there a huge opportunity but the possibilities are endless. And within blockchain, NFTs currently offer the biggest opportunity. However, it can also pose a new challenge to the team’s endurance, because while easy to obtain traction and users with NFTs, the challenge lies in retaining them.

Similar to other blockchain applications in the past few years, when a new concept is invented, it’ll be flushed with many early users. However, because the surrounding infrastructure wasn’t in place, it was difficult for founders to make valuable extensions or applications. And many of these users don’t actually care about these blockchain products and they are only trying to leverage the ecosystem to make a quick buck. Once they earn all that they can, they will move on to another project.

Right now working on NFTs, you can collect a lot of data in a short amount of time and also make some income to keep you afloat. Founders should seize this opportunity to understand these users, then modify and optimize both their products and mentality to retain them.

Since there’s no geographical restriction on blockchain, I would encourage founders to look beyond your country and region in expanding your NFT products. Also, since blockchain is closely related to finance, if you don’t have a good pricing strategy (or token economics) for your NFT products, the prices might fluctuate greatly. You need to be prepared and remind your users of the risks, otherwise you’ll ultimately get scolded!!

#NFTera

This year, I finally consider myself an official NFT collector. I pay special attention to NFTs with contemporary significance, such as Hashmasks. It signals to the public that NFTs are not just for collecting but that game mechanics can also be applied to interact with users. If we look back ten years from now I’m confident to say that the project that really brought the NFT wave in 2021 would be Hashmasks.

In addition to veteran projects like Hashmasks, other collections I care a lot about are related to Metaverse, such as The Sandbox. I believe that the world will become more and more decentralized and virtual. It is very likely that the next generation will be immersed in a virtual world like Ready Player One, so I am also very optimistic about NFTs in digital worlds like The Sandbox.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to NFTs. Right now, few NFTs are connected with our daily lives. For example, I bought a Hashmask. If I want to show it in my apartment, I might still need to print it out. In the future, how will we connect NFTs to the physical world? I believe they can be applied in many ways, including frames, wallets, cars, house deeds, leases, etc. These products in daily life can be combined with NFTs. We just haven’t opened our imagination yet. It’s hard to imagine that only 20 years ago we were having a hard time believing in the power of the internet.

The development of science and technology not only relies on infrastructure, but also the user's learning curve. The world needs to talk about blockchain more, so that everyone will gradually become familiar with it and it’ll continue to evolve.

If you're a founder working in blockchain or NFTs, welcome to apply to AppWorks >> https://bit.ly/3w0WyIl

【國立臺灣大學109學年度畢業典禮 致詞代表 心理學系林世峰】
Student Address, National Taiwan University Commencement 2021
Shih-Feng Lin from the Department of Psychology

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校長、各位貴賓、師長，親愛的家長、同學、畢業生，還有所有螢幕前的觀眾朋友，大家好！我是臺大畢業生代表，心理學系四年級的林世峰。

四年來，真的很難忘，我們同學一起在新生書院互加好友，在醉月湖找校鵝，還到舟山路上觀察大笨鳥的慢動作，又騎腳踏車到溫州街裝文青，到118巷當吃貨。多希望一切歲月靜好，但新冠肺炎疫情揮之不去，年輕生命殞落的悲劇突然到來，讓我們成為最迷惘的一屆，也是最獨特的一屆。

學校的活動臨時停辦，線上課程堆積如山，畢業舞會、椰林辦桌又被忍痛取消，最後甚至連實體畢業典禮和謝師宴也成為永遠的遺憾。我有朋友被迫放棄出國交換的機會，而我夢寐以求的芬蘭教育見習也無法成行。計畫被打亂、不安變常態，我們卻又將面臨更多挑戰。

一天，我在溫州街二手書店翻到詹姆斯．卡斯的一句話，震撼了我。這位哲學家將人類活動分為兩種遊戲，他說：「有限遊戲以取勝為目的，無限遊戲以延續遊戲為目的。」當下我驚覺，或許求學路上感到煎熬，就是因為我們被困在有限的遊戲中。有限的學習是一場短跑，只是一種手段，是為了勝過別人來證明自己，而拼命地刷新履歷、獲得標籤。

我回想起大三的一晚，我陪高三的學弟妹們為大考奮戰，原本想說幫忙解題而已，但最後他們卻對我說 :「學長，我讀書感覺好空、好累、好悶……」、「學長，我學這些到底為了什麼……」

是啊！為了考試而讀書、為了標籤而學習，不問意義與價值，讓我們陷入空虛、疲憊與痛苦。於是，我和一群來自超過二十個不同科系的夥伴創立了「臺大青鳥教育社」，有來自超過五所大學甚至香港、加拿大的大學生，一起走進的社區、偏鄉引導國高中生探索學習意義和自我價值，我們一起描繪活用所學、開展生涯的美好未來。

驀然回首，當初那麼想到芬蘭，不就是為了回台灣實現讓學習更有意義的理想嗎？疫情是一位無形的嚴師，教導我們在變動中珍惜彼此，在家園築夢踏實，更讓我們重新發現，學習是一場無限的壯遊，本身就是一種目的，是為了提升自己來造福他人，而自在地探索未知、創造價值。

經過師生共同努力，今天的臺大更重視心輔資源，「防疫一號」、「線上杜鵑花節」、「未來大學」，都讓我們這最迷惘的一屆，不僅成為了最獨特的一屆，更將蛻變為最堅韌、最覺醒的一屆。無論如何我們堅信，來到生命的必有意義，即使畢業了、即使停課了，臺大人都將繼續沉思、繼續學習，在人生的無限遊戲，繼續締造壯舉，讓傅鐘在心裡迴響起，永不止息！

一路上感謝師長、同學，感謝親友、爸爸媽媽及阿公阿嬤。感謝臺大砥礪我們脫胎換骨。期許自己並祝福各位同學，艱難時刻盡己所能，抱持無限思維活學活用，超越自我、同理他人，我們一起創造共好的故事、貢獻宇宙的精神！我是林世峰，畢業後我們一起勇敢！謝謝大家！

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President Kuan, distinguished guests, professors, parents, graduates, and friends on the screen, Hi! I am the valedictorian on behalf of graduates. I am Lin, Shih-Feng from the Department of Psychology.

The past transient four years brought me lasting remembrance. We made friends with classmates at Orientation Camp, searched for geese at Drunken Moon Lake, watched languid birds, Malayan Night Heron, on Zhoushan Road, biked to Wenzhou Street like a hipster and took a bite at the Lane 118. Although I dream that serene days live on, Covid-19 pandemic and the tragic loss of young lives suddenly happened. Hence, we have become the most puzzled and unique graduating class of 2021.

The events on campus were abruptly suspended. Online courses were augmented. The graduation prom and the feast at Palm Boulevard were cancelled. Even the onsite graduation ceremony and the banquet for thanking professors have become impossible but eternal regrets. One of my friends was forced to relinquish the opportunity to exchange abroad. And I could not fulfill my internship program of which I dream in Finland. Facing the disruption of planning and uncertainty as normalcy, we meet myriad challenges.

One day, I read a sentence written by James Carse in a second-hand bookstore on Wenzhou Street. To my astonishment, the philosopher categorizes human activities as two kinds of games. He said that "a finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.” All of a sudden, I realized that my struggling study arises from the trap of finite game. The limited learning like a sprint aims to prove superiority as means that we spare no effort to renew resume and acquire labels.

Reflecting back on one evening in my junior year, I accompanied third graders of high school who strived to prepare university entrance exam. I thought I could help answer their questions but eventually they said to me that “I felt aimless, exhausted, and suffocated…＂“What is the purpose for learning indeed…?”

Right. Studying for exams and labels without inquiring into meaning and value could ensnare us within emptiness, exhaustion and pains. Therefore, I found NTU Avizure Education Club in partnership with peers from more than 20 departments. Students from over five universities including those from Hong Kong and Canada enter the community and guide middle and high schoolers to explore the meaning of learning and the value of self through application of what we have learned, leading to promising careers in the future.

While viewing the past and thinking of Finland, wasn’t it the ideal that I wish to accomplish after return to make learning more meaningful? The pandemic is an invisible stern teacher who teaches us to cherish each other in times of turmoil, to pursue dreams step by step in homeland, and to discover again. Learning is infinite grand journey embodied in a purpose, improving oneself to benefit others, exploring unknown, and creating value.

With joint endeavors of faculty and students, National Taiwan University today draws more attention to counseling resources. The Device of Epidemic Prevention No. 1, Azalea Festival online, and the University of Future project allow us as the most puzzled class to transform into the most unique and perseverant class with self-awareness. We firmly believe that anything that brings to the life gives meaning. Regardless of gradation and end of class, members of NTU would continue to consider and learn as well as proceed to accomplish in the infinite game of life. And the resonance of ringing the Full Bell in our mind never ceases.

I would like to extend my gratitude to professors, fellow classmates, family, friends, parents and grandparents in my path. Thank National Taiwan University for urging us to change. I expect each student and myself to transcend ourselves and to be compassionate toward others as active learners during trying times. We together create stories of common good and embrace the spirit to contribute to the universe. I am Lin, Shih-Feng. We are brave upon graduation. Thank you all.

詳見：
https://www.facebook.com/NTUCommencement/posts/2718183551805402

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#臺灣大學 #畢業典禮 #NTUCommencement2021 #學生致詞代表 #臺大心理學系 #林世峰

ประกาศนี้อาจมีคนเอาไปเทียบกับการดราฟท์นักกีฬาจากหลายๆทีมมารวมเป็นทีมชาติ เช่น กีฬาอื่นๆ แบบฟุตบอล

แต่กรณีของอีสปอร์ทมันทำแบบนั้นยาก ความสามารถโดดๆของแต่ละคนอาจมีผลบ้าง แต่นักกีฬาระดับทอปๆของวงการนี้ ฝีมือแม่งไล่ๆกันมาก แต่ความต่างคือ ความเป็นทีม การแข่ง e-sport ต้องใช้ความเป็นทีมสูงลิ่วจนน่าตกใจ ใครเคยเล่นเกมพวกนี้เป็นทีมจะเข้าใจ. ละมันเป็นการแข่งที่ทีมนักกีฬาขนาดเล็กๆอยู่แล้ว อย่างมากก็ห้าคนต่อทีม การสื่อสารในทีม แทคติค พวกนี้ ถ้าดราฟท์เอาแต่ละทีมมาร่วมกัน มันต้องเริ่มกันใหม่หมด แล้วปัจจัยพวกนี้มันมีผลกับความสามารถรวมของทีมในการแข่งขันสูงมาก

ขอปรบมือให้ทั้งสามทีมครับ พวกคุณโคตรเท่ห์

ประกาศ

เรื่อง ขอถอนตัวรายการคัดเลือกตัวแทนแข่งขันกีฬาซีเกมส์ครั้งที่ 30

สืบเนื่องจากการที่ สมาคมอีสปอร์ตแห่งประเทศไทย ได้ทำการจัดการแข่งขันหาตัวแทนไปแข่งกีฬาซีเกมส์ครั้งที่ 30 สำหรับเกมส์ RoV ในรอบ Quarter Final เมื่อวันที่ 15 และ 16 มิถุนายน 2562 ที่ผ่านมา

ปรากฏว่าทีม Workpoint Fighting Fish ชนะการแข่งขันและเป็นอับดับ 1 ในรายการดังกล่าวนั้น

สโมสร บาซ่า เกมส์มิ่ง, สโมสร Evos และสโมสร Ravamana ทั้ง 3 สโมสร

ได้มีความเห็นตรงกันที่จะขอสละสิทธิ์ในการเข้าร่วมการคัดเลือกตัวแทนเพื่อไปแข่งขันกีฬาซีเกมส์ โดยเราทั้ง 3 สโมสรเชื่อว่าเกมส์ RoV เป็นเกมส์ที่ต้องใช้ความสามัคคีของผู้เล่นในทีมเป็นสิ่งสำคัญ

ซึ่งทีม Workpoint Fighting Fish ได้แสดงออกถึงความสามารถของนักกีฬา และความสามัคคีภายในทีมได้อย่างยอดเยี่ยมในการแข่งขันรอบคัดเลือกที่ผ่านมาและมีความเหมาะสมที่จะเป็นตัวแทนนักกีฬาทีมชาติไทยเพื่อเข้าแข่งขันกีฬาซีเกมส์ที่จะถึงนี้เป็นอย่างยิ่ง และขอสนับสนุนให้สโมสร Workpoint Fighting Fish เป็นตัวแทนของประเทศไทย

ทั้งนี้ทั้ง 3 สโมสร ขอขอบคุณสมาคมอีสปอร์ตแห่งประเทศไทยเป็นอย่างยิ่งสำหรับการจัดการแข่งขันที่ผ่านมา

และคาดหวังว่าทางสมาคมจะเห็นด้วยกับการขอสละสิทธิ์ และการสนับสนุนทีม Workpoint Fighting Fish ให้เป็นตัวแทนประเทศไทยตามที่ได้กล่าวมา

จึงเรียนมาเพื่อทราบโดยทั่วกัน

บริษัท บาซ่า เกมส์มิ่ง จำกัด
Announcements

About Withdrawal of the 30th Sea Games Representative qualifying program.

Due to the Esports Association of Thailand, the 30th sea games for the quarter final on 15th sea games on 15 and 16 June 2562

Turns out the workpoint fighting fish team won the match and was 1 on that show.

Bazaar games, evos club and 3 Ravamana club

The match has been given to forfeited to attend the recruiting agents to the sea games. All 3 clubs believe that rov games are the solidarity of team players are important.

The Workpoint fighting fish team has shown the talent of athletes and unity within the past qualifiers and is suitable to represent Thai National Athletes to enter the upcoming sea games and support workpoint fighting fish club to represent Thailand Thailand

All 3 clubs would like to thank the Esports Association of Thailand for hosting the past competition.

And expect the association to agree with the waiver and support of workpoint fighting fish team to represent Thailand as said.

So I learned to know all over the place.

Bazaar Gaming Co Ltd.Translated

Long after the Golden State Warriors were presented with their third NBA Finals trophy in the past four years on Friday night, the game operations crew at Quicken Loans Arena had a few unenviable final tasks to get through.

Because these Finals were so short, and the last game so noncompetitive, the flame-blowing machines affixed to the jumbo screen high above the court had to burn off extra fuel in their tanks before the arena and the NBA season turned over to a long, uncertain summer.

As the Warriors players and coaches celebrated in their locker room, fire sprang forth from the scoreboard toward their families and friends on the court. One last angry, empty lament from the Cavaliers and every other franchise that's tried and failed to dethrone these Warriors over the past four seasons.

"Wow, that felt like that last scene in 'Game of Thrones,'" Warriors coach Steve Kerr's wife, Margot, said, referencing the iconic battle scene in Season 7 of the hit HBO show, when the presumptive ruler of the Iron Throne, Daenerys Targaryen, flies in on her fire-breathing dragon to destroy the superior Lannister army. A great analogy, except the dragon was far more effective.

These flames, like the flames 29 other teams in the NBA hurled at Golden State this season, never really touched them.

Yes, the Cavaliers had a chance to win two of the four Finals games. But that was only due to the brilliance of LeBron James. And even then, there was never a time when the Warriors genuinely felt threatened in this series.

The Houston Rockets took them to seven games in the Western Conference finals and may have prevailed if point guard Chris Paul hadn't injured his hamstring at the end of Game 5. Of course, the Warriors might've won that series in five games if former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala hadn't missed most of it with a leg injury. And even when the Warriors faced elimination, it always felt like they should win, if they simply played up to their capabilities.

Golden State had more talent, more depth, more swagger and more experience than any team in the league -- maybe ever. That's been the case since the Warriors added two-time Finals MVP Kevin Durant to a team that won an NBA-record 73 games two years ago.

"We're loaded, and I'm not afraid to say that," Steve Kerr said.

Kerr's challenge this year hasn't been harnessing that talent or figuring out what to do with it. The challenge this time came from within. The Warriors' toughest opponent this year was themselves. Could they stay motivated through the slog of the regular season? Could Kerr remind them to be grateful for the chance at history, rather than bored or resentful at the obligations of greatness?

"Probably the hardest road we have had," Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. "A lot went into this year, mentally and physically, to get to the finish line."

High-class problems, to be sure. But nothing compared to the problem Golden State has created for the rest of the league.

Chauncey Billups' sprained ankle concerned the Detroit Pistons as much as their win over Philadelphia excited them.

Richard Hamilton scored 25 points and Billups had to be helped off the court after his 24th point as top-seeded Detroit beat the fourth-seeded Philadelphia 76ers 98-87 Tuesday night in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

"It was tough,'' Hamilton said. "I ran to him and said, 'You all right?' You could see he was in some pain. Chauncey is a big asset to our team.

"I just got done talking to him in the training room, and said, 'Please tell me you'll be all right for Game 2.' Hopefully he'll be back.''

Game 2 is Thursday night at The Palace. Pistons coach Rick Carlisle said he may not know until gameday whether Billups will play.

Philadelphia also has a limping guard.

X-rays were taken of Eric Snow's right foot after the game, and they were negative. Snow, who received treatment on his foot before the contest, will be evaluated again before practice Wednesday.

Allen Iverson, who led the league in scoring during the first round, had 27 points on 8-of-21 shooting for the 76ers. He averaged 34.8 points in the first round against Charlotte.

"They played better than us, but we still had a chance to win the basketball game, so we feel good about that,'' Iverson said.

Detroit was in control for much of the game, but it was never comfortable.

That was especially true when Billups left when he turned his left ankle after shooting a jumper and landing on Snow's foot. His basket gave the Pistons a 77-70 lead with 10:09 left. Billups has scored 101 points in his past three games.

The Sixers scored consecutive baskets to pull within three -- the closest they had been since early in the second quarter -- but Detroit rookie Mehmet Okur scored six straight points to give the Pistons the cushion they needed.

"We got to 77-74 and we self-destructed,'' 76ers coach Larry Brown said.

Philadelphia could not get closer than six points as the Pistons made enough free throws to seal the win. Detroit has not trailed in the second half of its last four games.

The Pistons lost the opening game of the playoffs to Orlando and were forced to rally to be just the seventh team in NBA history to win a series after trailing 3-1.

"We know how important it is to win the first game because we didn't like being at the other end in the last round,'' Carlisle said. "But we also won the first game last year against Boston and lost the series, so we know how important Game 2 is, too.''

The Celtics eliminated the Pistons in Game 5 of the conference semifinals last season.

Detroit's bench, which led the league with 34.1 points a game during the regular season, was a force.

Okur scored a playoff-high 16, while Tayshaun Prince and Corliss Williamson each had eight. Chucky Atkins, who replaced Billups, scored a basket for the first time since Game 5 against the Magic.

"Their bench came in and gave them a huge lift,'' Brown said.

Philadelphia's Derrick Coleman scored a playoff-high 21 points and reserve Greg Buckner added 11.

The Sixers made most of their shots in the first half, but their turnovers were costly.

Philadelphia hit 56.3 percent to Detroit's 37.5 percent, but trailed 24-21 after the first quarter. The Pistons converted eight turnovers into eight points.

Early in the second quarter, after Philadelphia took its second lead, Detroit scored nine straight points for a 33-25 lead.

By halftime, the Sixers were still making more than half their shots, but trailed 49-40 because the Pistons turned 13 turnovers into 16 points.

Detroit went ahead 63-50, its largest lead, midway through the third quarter, but began the fourth up just 73-66.

Game notes

There was a 19-minute delay at 7:51of the first quarter because the overhead lights at The Palace went out. "A breaker was tripped, just like what happens in a house,'' Pistons spokesman Matt Dobek said. ... Detroit's local television network lost its video and audio signal during the power outage, but play-by-play announcer George Blaha continued to call the action via telephone. ESPN and Philadelphia's television network did not have their broadcasts interrupted.

The Denver Nuggets have survived long enough without Carmelo Anthony. Now, they can't wait to see how their risky "experiment" works.

Allen Iverson banked in a running 3-pointer in overtime and scored 36 points to rally Denver to a 121-113 victory over the Houston Rockets on Saturday night in the Nuggets' final game without Anthony.

Iverson also had 10 assists, finding Steve Blake in the corner for a 3-pointer with 1:36 left in overtime.

Marcus Camby also had a basket in overtime, scored 12 points and grabbed 22 rebounds for the Nuggets, who went 7-8 in the 15 games Anthony was suspended after fighting in a Dec. 16 game against New York.

"We've survived the 15-game suspension," coach George Karl said. "Now, we've got a 15-game experiment before the All-Star break. And I think everyone's excited about it."

Anthony, who was leading the NBA with 31.6 points per game before his suspension, would've returned for Saturday's game until a snowstorm postponed the Nuggets' Dec. 20 game against Phoenix. He'll be available for Monday's game against Memphis.

"Monday, I get to wake up and it's Christmas," Iverson said with a smile. "Obviously, it's going to be a fun day."

The four-time scoring champion and seven-time All-Star wanted to leave Philadelphia and play for a contender. With Anthony and J.R. Smith back from suspensions, the newly acquired Blake contributing already and Camby playing well, Iverson thinks the Nuggets can make a deep playoff run.

"For me, at this stage of my career, it's just championships. That's all I think about," Iverson said. "Regardless of where we're seeded, we get in a seven-game series with somebody, it's going to be hard for somebody to beat us four times."

Smith, who was suspended 10 games for his role in the New York brawl, scored 24 for Denver. He hit three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter after the Rockets had taken a 90-77 lead.

Blake, acquired a week ago in a trade with Milwaukee, had 12 points, four assists and five rebounds.

"'Melo will add a different dimension to our team and take us to another level," Blake said. "It's about time. We are glad he's coming back."

With Anthony returning, it's up to Karl to figure out how all the pieces fit together.

"We have 15 games before the All-Star break," Karl said. "I have a very good feeling that toward the end of those 15 games, you're going to see us playing pretty special basketball."

The Rockets had won their previous eight home games this season when they reach 100 points.

But Iverson was fouled on a 3-pointer with 2:37 left and hit all three free throws to pull the Nuggets to within 108-103. Camby scored before Iverson swished a 3-pointer from the wing with 1:02 to go to tie the game.

Iverson and Tracy McGrady both missed potential game winners in the final minute. The Nuggets had a chance to win it in the closing seconds of regulation, but Camby missed an unlikely 3-pointer at the buzzer. Camby is 0-for-2 from 3-point range this season.

Both teams struggled at the start of overtime, but Iverson scooped up a loose ball near midcourt, ran to the 3-point line and banked in a 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired to give Denver the lead for good.

"That was a momentum shot," Iverson said. "A lot of times, you want to hit that first basket to see how the other teams respond."

McGrady scored 24 and Juwan Howard added 21 points and 13 rebounds for the Rockets, who've lost three in a row since winning nine of their previous 10.

"We need to get back to doing what got us playing well the last couple of weeks, when we went on that great winning streak," McGrady said. "It was just a game where, if we wanted to play like this, we should have stayed at home."

The Rockets lead the league in scoring defense, but they've allowed at least 100 points in their last four games.

"The last four games defensively, we're not willing to do what it takes to win," said Houston coach Jeff Van Gundy. "We got exactly what we deserved. They got what they deserved because they worked. And we got what we deserved because we didn't."

Dikembe Mutombo grabbed 13 rebounds for the Rockets, who dropped to 9-5 since Yao Ming broke a bone under his right knee.

The Nuggets are 6-8 since acquiring Iverson on Dec. 22. Despite the absence of Anthony -- and thanks mostly to Iverson -- Denver is still in second place in the Northwest Division.

Iverson had eight points in the first quarter, but the Nuggets trailed 31-25. He came out for a short rest early in the second quarter and Rafer Alston, the man he was guarding, promptly sank back-to-back 3-pointers to push Houston's lead past 10.

Denver trailed 46-33 when Iverson returned with 7:53 left in the half. He was 5-of-6 in the second quarter and had 20 points at the break, but the Rockets led 58-53.

The Rockets led by 13 early in the fourth quarter, but went 11-for-30 in the period to lose for only the fourth time in 43 home games under Van Gundy when they hit 100 points.