Supporting cast shares spotlight with Anthony

Melo scores 35 but Evans, Najera also big in Nuggets' win

Aaron J. Lopez, Rocky Mountain News

Saturday, December 2, 2006

Box score

MINNEAPOLIS - Before walking to the team bus Friday night, Reggie Evans had a request for the resident shoe mogul.

"Hey, Melo? You got any of those Nike boots?" Evans asked Nuggets teammate and swoosh pitchman Carmelo Anthony.

"What size you need - 14, 15?" Anthony responded.

"15."

"I got a couple for you, bro."

Evans certainly wore his figurative work boots to the Target Center.

While Anthony took his customary place in the spotlight, Evans and fellow blue-collar forward Eduardo Najera were hardly overshadowed during a 106-92 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Anthony scored 35 points and grabbed eight rebounds in an impressive all-around performance, while Evans and Najera combined for 21 points and 27 rebounds as Denver bounced back from an uninspiring performance against the Memphis Grizzlies three days earlier.

"Reggie and Eddie delivered a big-time game," coach George Karl said. "In a lot of ways, our confidence came from the energy that they gave us and the extra possessions they gave us."

The Nuggets (9-4) outrebounded Minnesota 52-40 and turned 20 offensive boards into 26 second-chance points. Those numbers are more impressive considering Denver's attrition along the front line.

Already without starting forward Kenyon Martin (knee surgery) and top reserve Nene (bruised knee), the Nuggets were without veteran Joe Smith, who sprained his right ankle in practice Thursday.

"We just had to step it up even more," Evans said. "It's like we've got even more of a big load on our chest."

Karl gave his team some additional weight to carry following a 12-point home loss to Memphis on Tuesday. The coach put his players through two intense practices as he urged them to focus on defense and rebounding, two facets that require heart and desire.

The Nuggets responded by jumping out to an eight-point lead in the game's first 8 minutes. They extended the advantage to 11 by halftime and 20 entering the fourth quarter and cruised to their ninth win in 11 games.

"I told coach, 'That was cool of you the way you came at us,' " Evans said. "Only a weak person will break. He went at us real aggressive, real tough. He was on our neck, and it showed (Friday night)."

Evans, who relishes the dirty work in the paint, grabbed 12 of his 16 rebounds in the first half and added seven points. His partner in grime Najera finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The duo also did an admirable job harassing Minnesota star Kevin Garnett, who scored 21 points on 10-of-20 shooting but rarely had an open look at the basket.

"They bring a lot of energy - hard-working guys, guys that never give up on plays," said Nuggets point guard Andre Miller, who had 17 points and nine assists while playing in his 300th consecutive game. "They definitely was a big part of the game."

Of course, few players in the NBA are playing a bigger role for their teams than Anthony, who reclaimed the scoring lead in an early tug-of-war with Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson.

Anthony has scored at least 30 points in 11 of 14 games and upped his average to 31.8 to leapfrog Iverson (31.7).

"You're seeing one of the best offensive players I've ever coached," Karl said. "The game is so easy for him in so many different places."

Anthony missed his first three shots before making 14 of his next 21, including a running three-pointer from about 35 feet to end the third quarter.

"I didn't even think that was going in," Anthony said, "but I'll take it."

He also did a nice job finding open teammates, finishing with four assists - a total that would have been higher if not for fouls and a handful of missed shots by his teammates from close range.

"I'm just playing right now," Anthony said. "I'm starting to find a rhythm within myself. My teammates see what's going on. It's not like I'm going out there and trying to shoot every ball. I'm getting them the ball. They're happy. As long as I keep them happy, I'm all right."

The Nuggets were smiling plenty while avenging a 112-109 loss to Minnesota Nov. 3 at the Pepsi Center.

In addition to getting payback, they moved within 2 1/2 games of first-place Utah, which has slowed down after starting the season 11-1.

Indeed, the Nuggets are climbing the ladder. Evans soon might have some new boots to negotiate the rungs.

ETC.: Smith's ankle still was noticeably swollen less than 2 hours before tipoff, and he might also miss tonight's home game against the Indiana Pacers. "Doesn't feel right," Smith said. "Still got a lot of swelling in there." . . . With the University of Minnesota seeking a new men's basketball coach, Karl endorsed his friend and colleague Rick Majerus.

Percentages - FG .453, FT .875. Three-point goals - 6-17, .353 (J.Smith 3-8, Anthony 2-3, Miller 1-1, Najera 0-1, Boykins 0-2, Diawara 0-2). Team rebounds - 3. Team turnovers - 14 (18 pts.). Blocked shots - 4 (Najera 3, Camby). Turnovers - 14 (Anthony 3, Miller 3, Boykins 2, J.Smith 2, Evans 2, Camby, Najera). Steals - 8 (Anthony 3, Miller 2, Boykins, Najera, Evans). Technicals - None.

Percentages - FG .442, FT .917. Three-point goals - 5-13, .385 (James 3-4, Jaric 1-2, R.Davis 1-3, Hudson 0-1, Foye 0-3). Team rebounds - 8. Team turnovers - 18 (19 pts.). Blocked shots - 9 (Blount 3, Garnett 2, R.Davis, Hassell, Foye, James). Turnovers - 18 (Garnett 7, Foye 3, Hassell 2, Blount, R.Davis, Griffin, Reed, James, C.Smith). Steals - 9 (Jaric 4, R.Davis 2, Blount, Hassell, Madsen). Technicals - None.

A - 14,768 (19,006). T - 2:01. Officials - Steve Javie, Marc Davis, Ron Olesiak.

Pacers at Nuggets

• When: 7 tonight.

• Where: Pepsi Center.

• TV/Radio: Altitude; KBJD-AM (1650).

• Probable starting lineups:

Indiana (9-8)

Pos. Ht. Pts.

32 Al Harrington F 6-9 16.7

7 Jermaine O'Neal F 6-11 18.5

10 Jeff Foster C 6-11 5.1

1 Stephen Jackson G 6-8 12.1

11 Jamaal Tinsley G 6-3 11.5

Coach: Rick Carlisle.

Denver (9-5)

Pos. Ht. Pts.

15 Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 31.8

21 Eduardo Najera F 6-8 7.9

23 Marcus Camby C 6-11 10.9

1 J.R. Smith G 6-6 16.8

24 Andre Miller G 6-2 14.1

Coach: George Karl.

• Injuries: Indiana - C David Harrison (sore left shoulder) is out. Denver - F Joe Smith (sprained right ankle) is questionable; F Nene (bruised right knee) is doubtful; F Kenyon Martin (right knee surgery) is out.

• Notes: Najera was in need of some fluids after experiencing flu-like symptoms Friday night against Minnesota. He said he expected to play tonight . . . Anthony had a monster November, but Western Conference player of the month honors went to Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, who averaged 25.7 points and 10.1 rebounds. "I don't understand that voting," Karl said. "Houston probably had a little better month than we did, and Yao had a great month." . . . Indiana is in the midst of a six-game, nine-day trip and will play its fourth game in five days . . . The Nuggets have won four in a row against the Pacers after going 4-17 in the previous 21 meetings . . . Both teams played on the road Friday night. The Pacers, who lost to Seattle, are 3-3 in the second of back-to-back games, while Denver is 1-2 . . . Karl might have to go deeper into his bench because of the quick turnaround. He stuck primarily to a seven-man rotation in a 14-point victory against Minnesota. ? Denver has enjoyed a double-figure lead at some point in 13 of its first 14 games.

lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5388