February 10th, 2010 
Stephen Rhodes 
Posted in 
A couple good things were awaiting the Denver Nuggets prior to their game Tuesday night against the Dallas Mavericks at Pepsi Center. Firstly, they welcomed Carmelo Anthony back into their starting lineup, Unfortunately, they were without Kenyon Martin, who was suffering from tendinitis in his left knee.
The Nuggets, perhaps because of Anthony’s return, were blazing from the field as they shot a blistering 60.8% (61% from 3-point land) and missed only 3 free throws while the Mavericks shot only 38.2%. The end result would be pretty obvious here as Denver blasted Dallas 127-91.
The Mavericks did manage to get to within 49-35 on a three-point play by Dirk Nowitzki with 4:13 left in the first half but the Nuggets would score 16 of the next 20 points just before the break, ahead 65-39. Denver would pull ahead further 78-46, connecting on three consecutive treys, two by Arron Afflalo and one by Anthony.
Dallas tried to make a dent into the Nuggets advantage with a 14-5 run, but Denver would respond with a 7-0 spurt, capped by a pair of baskets by Anthony; they would pull ahead 90-60 with 3:13 left in the third quarter and would take a sizable 103-70 advantage going into the final 12 minutes. They would coast the rest of the way to the easy victory.
Seven Nuggets scored in double-digits, led by Nene Hilario with 21 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal while Anthony added 19 (including three treys) with 4 rebounds and 6 assists; Chauncey Billups chipped in 16 (including 3 three-pointers) with a rebound, 6 assists and 3 steals while Chris Andersen secured a double-double, scoring 14 with 10 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals and a block.
The Mavericks were led by Nowitzki with 17 points, 4 rebounds and an assist while Jason Terry added 16 with 2 assists and a steal; Josh Howard chipped in 14 with 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Denver (35-17) plays again on Thursday when they host the San Antonio Spurs while Dallas (32-20) enters the All-Star break and doesn’t play again until next Tuesday, when they visit Oklahoma City and take on the Thunder.
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