The AP reports: The Denver Nuggets didn’t need Carmelo Anthony’s offense to beat Portland. Their defense wouldn’t let Brandon Roy have another career night. Nene scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds, Chauncey Billups added 19 points and 10 assists, and the Nuggets’ defense shut down Roy to beat the Trail Blazers 97-89 on Monday night. Roy scored a career-high 52 points against Phoenix on Thursday, but Denver’s defense held the Portland guard to just eight points… With Roy struggling, LaMarcus Aldridge pitched in with 20 points and Travis Outlaw had 15. Greg Oden, who also was in foul trouble most of the game, fouled out with 10 points… “That’s the way it has to be,” said Kenyon Martin, who led the Nuggets with 12 rebounds. “There are some guys who have to step up and play well, which they did tonight.”
