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The Denver Nuggets have been a team that whether they will admit it or not, have not played nearly as well since coach George Karl took a leave of absence due to some health issues. That doesn’t minimize what interim coach Adrian Dantley has done up to this point but the fact is that the Nuggets, prior to their game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Pepsi Center, had won just one of their past six games and dropped from the #2 seed to #5.

Nonetheless, Denver, for most of 48 minutes, brought their “A” game as they shot 49 percent and easily disposed of Portland 109-92.

Leading 27-24 after the first quarter, the Nuggets opened a 44-35 lead halfway through the second period with a 17-5 run fueled by a pair of baskets by J.R. Smith. He had eight of his 15 points during the run, including a dunk and a three-point play. The Blazers were up to the task, however, as they outscored the Nuggets 16-8 in the last 3:37 of the quarter and pulling to 56-55 when Marcus Camby hit a jumper at the horn.

Brandon Roy’s 3-pointer with 3:31 left in the third quarter pulled Portland to 74-72; Denver scored 13 of the next 17 points, capped by Chauncey Billups’ 3-pointer, to take an 87-76 lead going into the fourth quarter.

With Carmelo Anthony beginning the final period with consecutive baskets, the Nuggets  built a 92-78 advantage with 9:23 remaining. The Trail Blazers pulled to within 94-86 on a pair of free throws by Roy with 6:32 left in the game before Denver pulled away – this time for good.

A trio of Nuggets players scored at least 21 points, led by Anthony with 25 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal while Nene Hilario added 22 with 5 rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and 3blocks; Billups chipped in 21 with 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and a block while Smith poured in 15 with 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.

Andre Miller led the Trail Blazers with 24 points, 3 rebounds, and an assist while Martell Webster added 17 with 4 rebounds, a steal and a block; LaMarcus Aldridge chipped in 16 with 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 4 blocks.

Denver (49-27) plays again on Saturday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers while Portland (46-30) travels west to Sacramento to take on the Kings – also on Saturday night.