The AP reports: J.R. Smith and Nene scored 19 points each, Chauncey Billups had 14 points and 10 assists and Denver extended their winning streak to three with a 121-96 win over the Nets… Vince Carter scored 32 points for the Nets, who went 0-4 on the Western Conference portion of their five-game road trip. New Jersey plays at the New York Knicks on Wednesday… Nuggets F Kenyon Martin returned after missing two games and five of the last six with a strained lower back. He scored eight points in 15 minutes and didn’t play in the second half.
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Nuggets beat Clippers, spoil return of Camby
The AP reports: After getting a rousing ovation and a hug from a little girl sitting courtside who was wearing one of his old Nuggets jerseys, Marcus Camby watched Nene and Renaldo Balkman each post a double-double in Denver’s 107-94 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night… Camby struggled with his shot, scoring 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting and pulling down 11 rebounds. Balkman scored a career-best 22 points to go with his 11 rebounds—his second straight double-double playing in place of Martin (back)—and Nene scored 17 points and pulled down 10 boards. Carmelo Anthony added 18 points and J.R. Smith 17 for Denver. Al Thornton led Los Angeles with 19 points.
Renaldo Balkman helps the Nuggets
The Denver Post (Chris Dempsey) reports (via blog): The tattooed words on Renaldo Balkman’s calves say everything the man is about, and, incidentally pretty much do all of the talking for the Nuggets soft-spoken forward. “Hustle,” on his left calf. “Harder,” on his right. No one on the team hustles quite like Balkman. It is equal parts inspiring and breathtaking, and it is necessary for a team that many times lacks the all-out effort needed to carry it through tough games. Yet, Balkman is a spot player. Yes, he’s received more time lately – a 24.7 average in the Nuggets’ last three games. But consider the circumstances. He remains mainly an injury-replacement player, so this latest stretch of more court time can’t be construed as anything other than that. He’s played, and started some, when Kenyon Martin has been out. Evidence that the Nuggets are actually fitting him into the lineup will come when the team is completely healthy and intact and he’s still playing.
Balkman rises, Nuggets beat Thunder 112-99
The AP reports: Renaldo Balkman to the rescue, of all people. The Denver Nuggets snapped a three-game losing streak with a 112-99 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday night that was fueled by Balkman, who made the most of a rare start with a double-double… With Kenyon Martin’s bad back putting him in street clothes again, Nuggets coach George Karl needed some size in his starting lineup, so he inserted Balkman… Carmelo Anthony led seven Nuggets in double figures with 22 points. Jeff Green’s 19 points led the Thunder, who had won five of six since losing leading scorer Kevin Durant to an ankle injury. Earl Watson added 18 points for Oklahoma City.
Artest scores 22, Rockets beat Nuggets 97-95
The AP reports: The Denver Nuggets are starting to see the storm clouds closing in on them. Even the brief return of Kenyon Martin from a bad back couldn’t snap them out of their funk as the Nuggets lost for the eighth time in 11 games Monday night, this time 97-95 to the Houston Rockets… Denver had a chance to tie idle Utah atop the Northwest Division after losing their grip on first place 24 hours earlier with a disheartening loss at Sacramento. But they fell behind by 19 points in the third quarter and couldn’t overcome big games by Ron Artest (22 points) and Aaron Brooks (19)… Nene shot 4-for-15, falling behind Shaquille O’Neal for the league lead in shooting percentage.
Kings step up, beat Nuggets 114-106
The AP reports: Kevin Martin had 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists Sunday night for the Sacramento Kings, who never trailed in defeating the slumping Nuggets 114-106. Entering the game tied with Utah and clinging to a half-game lead over Portland in the Northwest Division, the Nuggets were in desperate need of a road win… “You really have to impose your will on the Nuggets before they get out and run on you,” said Spencer Hawes, who had a career-high 20 points and added eight rebounds… Martin connected on five 3-pointers for the Kings, who tied a season high, making 14 3-pointers. Andres Nocioni had 23 points, and Francisco Garcia had 19 points… Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and seven rebounds for Denver. Chauncey Billups had 22 points and eight assists, J.R. Smith scored 19 and Nene added 14 points and nine rebounds.
Williams rallies Jazz past Nuggets
The AP reports: Trailing Denver by 19 points, the Jazz were a mess—turning the ball over repeatedly and making just half of their foul shots until something sparked Utah just before halftime. Utah scored 17 straight points over the end of the second period and beginning of the third and rallied for a 97-91 victory over the Nuggets on Friday night… Deron Williams scored 12 of his 25 points in the third quarter and also had 11 assists, his 11th straight game with 10 or more… J.R. Smith led Denver with 27 points. Carmelo Anthony was in foul trouble much of the game and finished with 20. Chauncey Billups added 12 points for the Nuggets, who knew they blew a great chance to win a division game on the road.
Nuggets assign Sonny Weems to D-League
The Denver Nuggets have assigned G/F Sonny Weems to the Colorado 14ers of the NBA Development League, team Vice President of Basketball Operations Mark Warkentien announced today.
Weems, 6-6, 203, has averaged 1.3 ppg in 10 games with the Nuggets this season. In his previous stint with the 14ers from Dec. 10- Jan. 6, Weems averaged 18.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg and 2.3 apg in 10 games.
This assignment marks the 27th player assignment to the NBA Development League this season and the Nuggets’ third to the 14ers in 2008-09.
Weems was acquired by Denver in a draft-night trade with the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for a 2009 second round draft pick.
Melo scores 38, Nuggets beat Blazers 106-90
The AP reports: Carmelo Anthony scored 38 points in his return from a one-game suspension for refusing to come out of a game last weekend, and he led the Denver Nuggets past the Portland Trail Blazers 106-90 Thursday night… Brandon Roy scored 22 points for the Trail Blazers, who were trying to ascend to the top of the division this late in the season for the first time since 2001. LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 points despite an upset stomach… The Nuggets had Anthony back in uniform, but were without another starter, Kenyon Martin (lower back), and also backup point guard Anthony Carter (hip), both of whom are day to day.
Allen Iverson OK with bench role
The Detroit Pistons released the following statement from Allen Iverson following today’s practice.
“I’m disappointed that the soreness I’m feeling in my back is going to force me to miss two weeks of action. After talking with the doctors at Georgetown yesterday they have told me that treatment and rest is the best course of action right now. Hopefully my back with heal and I’ll be ready to go following this two-week period.
“My goal is to help this team win a championship and I’ve said that from the first day I arrived here in Detroit. I’m going to do whatever it takes to help us achieve our goals as a team regardless if I’m starting or coming off the bench.”
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