March 6th, 2009 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
If Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony’s performance against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday was any indication, then perhaps he should suspended for a game a few more times this season; to wit, Anthony was suspended for one game after the Nuggets’ game against the Indiana Pacers last Sunday. In any case, Anthony returned from the suspension to score 38 points to lead Denver to the easy win over Portland 106-90 at the Pepsi Center.
The Nuggets pretty much dominated the first half as they went into their locker room at halftime with a 53-44 lead; they would hold an 11-point lead after three quarters and would remain in double-digits for the remainder of the game. With the win, Denver remains one game behind San Antonio for the #2 seed in the Western Conference playoff chase.
Denver’s high scorer was the aforementioned Anthony with 38 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block while J.R. Smith added 17 with 7 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal; Nene Hilario scored 16 with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks while Linas Kleiza chipped in 15 with 6 rebounds.
Portland was led by Brandon Roy with 22 points, a rebound, 4 assists and a steal while LaMarcus Aldridge added 19 with 4 rebounds, an assist and a steal; Travis Outlaw came off the bench to score 15 with 6 rebounds. Denver (40-22) plays again on Friday when they travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz while Portland returns home to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
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