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Anthony returns, cheers Nuggets in rout of Toronto

By Chris Tomasson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 2, 2008 at 9:25 p.m.

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Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups receives congratulations from guard J.R. Smith after Billups made a three-pointer right before halftime of the Nuggets victory over the Raptors at the Pepsi Center.

Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky

Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups receives congratulations from guard J.R. Smith after Billups made a three-pointer right before halftime of the Nuggets victory over the Raptors at the Pepsi Center.

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The only drawback for Carmelo Anthony was all the high-fiving he did because the Nuggets were so good.

The forward returned Tuesday night against Toronto after missing the second half of Sunday's game against Houston because of a right elbow contusion. Although he still was sore, Anthony was happy to throw his share of high-fives.

"You got to cheer, man," he said. "I'd rather take the pain and still cheer for my teammates."

There was plenty to cheer about in the 132-93 rout at the Pepsi Center.

Point guard Chauncey Billups, who has scored more lately with Anthony ailing, had 24 points and 14 assists with only one turnover. Billups, who had 21 points in the first half as the Nuggets took a 64-45 lead, has averaged 26.3 points the past three games.

"You have games where nothing really works, so when we have games like this, it's a lot of fun," said Billups, whose Nuggets are 12-3 since he was acquired Nov. 3 and 13-6 overall, tied for the best start in the team's NBA history. "You take advantage of it and just try to keep it going."

Billups played only one minute in the fourth quarter, and Anthony was one of three Denver starters to play none. Anthony, who scored 15 of his 23 points in the third quarter after a very slow start, will take all the rest he can.

"I was still hurting out there," said Anthony, whose elbow has been bothering him since training camp and added that, for the near future, he will do little on off days. "I just wanted to fight through the pain. . . . It felt a little bit better. Sunday night, I couldn't lift my arm at all. . . . (Tuesday), I was able to shoot the ball a little bit out there . . . "

Anthony's shot was hurting early, when he went 0-of-3 in the first quarter and was 3-of-9 at halftime. He went 6-of-10 in the third quarter to finish 9-of-19.

"We won the game, so don't talk about my shooting performance," Anthony said.

Not that the Nuggets needed much from Anthony anyway. With Billups, who was 5-of-6 on three-pointers and hit a 27-footer at the halftime buzzer, scoring and passing at will and center Nene on his way to 19 points and 11 rebounds, the Raptors became extinct very early.

The Nuggets shot 59.8 percent, including 13-of-24 (54.2 percent) on three-pointers and held the Raptors (8-9) to 36.6 percent shooting. Forward Chris Bosh, who totaled 24 points and 12 rebounds, was Toronto's only bright spot.

"We as professionals should be ashamed of ourselves," said Raptors forward Jermaine O'Neal, who returned after missing three games because of a sprained ankle and added the team would air matters out later that night at a Denver hotel.

The Nuggets got together for a talk of their own Tuesday morning. They certainly heeded the words of coach George Karl.

"We talked . . . about the home- court spirit that I believe is important to being a really good team," said Karl, who added there was "no foolishness" by the Nuggets. "I thought, even though we have a good home record, some of our home wins were a little lucky and we weren't jumping into the game. We talked about how it's important we become more intimidating at home."

How intimidating was Denver? The 39-point win was the fifth-largest in team history.

Before the game, Karl said he would give the Nuggets an "A-minus" so far, adding he'd be "very celebratory" if they still have that grade at the end of the regular season. But Tuesday sure looked like an A-plus.

"Everyone had their moments," Karl said.

Even sparingly used second- year center Cheikh Samb scored his first Nuggets points and set a career high with six rebounds, while tying his career best with four points. When Samb buried two late jumpers, there was plenty of celebrating on the bench.

Even Anthony didn't mind if that made his elbow a bit more sore.

ETC.: After some earlier doubts, Nuggets center Steven Hunter, who had knee surgery Nov. 14, believes he will return this season. "I'm very optimistic," said Hunter, who has been ruled out at least until mid-February. "My rehab is really going well." . . . While J.R. Smith (4-of-8 on three-pointers, 14 points) and Linas Kleiza (2-of-5 on three-pointers, 12 points) played well offensively, Karl said before the game, "L.K. and J.R. just have had bad offensive starts, but I think they've actually been better defensively." . . . Bosh, who collects NBA jerseys, traded jerseys with Anthony.

Comments

  • December 2, 2008

    10:15 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Andynonymous writes:

    What a game, what a trade. I'm so glad they didn't trade Nene those couple of times the rumors were swirling; I thought he just needed to get healthy; turns out he just needed a true point guard. Monstrous!

  • December 2, 2008

    10:18 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    desertwind writes:

    This team is starting to excite me, but I remain cautious. They are the only team I have followed for decades that have yet to win a championship, thought they were close a time in the mid 80's. But they also have a habit of blowing it down the stretch... could this be the year?

  • December 3, 2008

    6:23 a.m.

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    kmeissner writes:

    Great game last night! They are starting to play the way everyone is expecting them to play. Melo is passing and rebounding. Not only that but he looks dominant lately. Everyone seems to be playing better now that Chauncey is back in town. Nene looks like an All-Star so far this year!

    JR for 6th man of the year so far! GO NUGS!

  • December 3, 2008

    8:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Avarra writes:

    Well Desertwind - As good a team as I believe we can be this year & ya, I'm very excited too... I don't believe that we have what it takes to win it all... yet. To be brutally honest, unless we can find a way to beat the Lakers consistently, we won't get there. I honestly don't see anyone giving them strong competition and as you can see by their record, only 2 teams so far have actually beaten them.

    That being said though, this year has been awesome so far for the Nuggets & I am extremely happy with their defense. (We're only gonna get better too) Who knows though, maybe we'll have the Lakers figured out by playoff time and then our hopes and dreams of a Nugget championship will come true!!

  • December 3, 2008

    8:55 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coffee_Mug writes:

    Is the tiff between J.R. and Karl over now? Lets hope so, the Nuggets are playing some good TEAM basketball. In my mind, right now anyway, the only thing left is to figure out how to beat the Lakers. If, and when, they do that, we can figure out how to celebrate a championship. Great job Nuggets, keep it going!!!

  • December 3, 2008

    10:01 a.m.

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    Cwillyrun1 writes:

    Billups has brought something to Denver that Iverson didn't, floor leadership. The dude is in command on the court and it's raised the game of everyone else. Anthony is better all around, especially his rebounding. Nene is a beast, and Billups is finding him in the lane, whereas Iverson wasn't that type of player. K-Mart has some hops back, and his game is the best it's been since he's come here. They'll keep working on the chemistry, and the defensive game of the Nuggets right now is the best I've seen it in years. Billups has helped change the Nuggets into a real contender and not a paper contender. What an amazing pass last night from the corner, behind the back...... Bosh didn't even have a clue until Martin was at the rim.

    It's too early to say who the favorites are to win the West. San Antonio is not as bad as their record, Phoenix and some others are still capable, and the Lakers are tough..... but the Nuggets beat Boston, in Boston, and the Celtics only have two losses also. They are the defending champs, not the Lakers. We'll see what happens, but I believe this team has the best chance of any of Melo's teams.

  • December 3, 2008

    11:10 a.m.

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    CaptainObvious writes:

    This team is a lot of fun to watch! I am officially on the bandwagon.

  • December 3, 2008

    11:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    LingLingfor_prez writes:

    Go Blazers!

  • December 3, 2008

    8:30 p.m.

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    wjrudy writes:

    Getting Billups is kind of like the Broncos getting T. Davis a few years back - changes everything. The thing I like most about Billups is he's all about winning and he KNOWS how to win and what it takes. We had a good collection of players before, but not guys who both understood and were committed to winning. Like others have said, he makes his teammates better - because of his commitment.