Anthony scores 41 points to help Denver win

By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports Writer Oct 30, 2:49 am EDT

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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—Carmelo Anthony(notes) almost couldn’t miss and Greg Oden(notes) missed when it mattered most.

Anthony scored 19 of his 41 points in the fourth quarter and the Denver Nuggets were helped by Portland’s trouble at the free-throw line for a 97-94 victory Thursday night.

Oden missed a pair of free throws with 4.6 seconds left, squandering a chance for Portland to go ahead.

“We came out here and stole the win,” Anthony said. “It wasn’t just an important win. It was a battle.”

Anthony hit a jumper with 4:26 left to tie it at 85, then added another to give the Nuggets their first lead since the second quarter.

It stayed close with the teams trading free throws. But Portland started to have trouble at the line and Nene hooked a shot and Denver led 95-91.

Brandon Roy’s(notes) bank shot narrowed it again, but LaMarcus Aldridge(notes) continued the Blazers’ free-throw woes by making just one of two.

After Oden’s misses, Anthony made a pair and Roy missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.

“This is a tough one,” Oden said. “I definitely stepped up there with confidence thinking I was going to hit both and it didn’t go that way. I put this loss on me. I need to step up and make those.”

Roy, who led the Blazers with 30 points, said he would speak to Oden on Friday.

“The biggest thing is to let go,” Roy said. “We all miss shots, you’ve got to forget about it.”

The game was slowed considerably by fouls. Combined, the teams attempted 90 free throws. Each team had 20 personal fouls, and the game lasted 2:50.

Anthony made five of seven shots from the floor and nine of his 10 free throws in the fourth quarter.

“My shots were going in. I was trying to attack,” Anthony said. “I got to the rim and the foul line.”

Both teams had 54 wins last season, but the Nuggets edged the Blazers out of the Northwest Division title.

Denver went to the Western Conference finals, where the team fell 4-2 to the eventual NBA champion Lakers, while Portland fell in six games to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs.

The Nuggets were playing the second of a back-to-back. Denver opened at home Wednesday night with a 114-105 victory over the Jazz.

The Blazers won their opener 96-87 over the Houston Rockets on Tuesday night.

“I think it (the fouls) benefited them a bit more coming off a back-to-back,” Roy said. “They were tired but anytime you slow the game down that much, it gives them a chance to recover.”

Denver jumped out to an early lead, holding a 24-17 advantage after the first quarter. The Blazers battled back and led 43-42 at the half.

Anthony amassed 20 points in the half. His layup midway through the third quarter narrowed the Nuggets to within 53-52. Roy’s jumper kept Denver at bay.

Billups hit a 3-pointer to make it 61-59, before Chris Andersen(notes) made a pair of free throws for Denver to tie it at 61 with 1:23 left in the third.

The Nuggets kept it close until Roy hit a running 28-footer at the buzzer to put the Blazers ahead 67-62.

Portland couldn’t stretch it further until Rudy Fernandez(notes) hit a 3-pointer over a charging Anthony to make it 81-74. But the Nuggets silenced the Rose Garden crowd with consecutive layups from Anthony and Lawson.

“Anthony was simply amazing,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “We rode Carmelo.”

Anthony had 30 points in Denver’s opener.

Notes: Denver’s J.R. Smith(notes) served the second game of his season-opening seven-game suspension for pleading guilty to reckless driving over the summer. … Former University of Oregon quarterback Joey Harrington attended the game. … Team owner Paul Allen, who reportedly underwent heart surgery over the summer, also attended the game.

Updated Oct 30, 2:49 am EDT
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Fri Dec 11, 2009, 8:00 pm EST

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88 Comments

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  1. Cunt M
    88. Posted by Cunt M Sat Oct 31 2:08pm EDT

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    number 64 is another 13 year old twat who never saw mj play, and if he did it was past his prime during his reign with the wizards
  2. JNH
    87. Posted by JNH Sat Oct 31 2:59am EDT

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    The Blazer's can't do what they did last year and move past the 2nd round of the playoffs. Who can't see that their offensive plays need to change so they can work a better outside inside game in order to benefit from the talent they have? I hope big Nate can see....
  3. gel s
    86. Posted by gel s Fri Oct 30 11:07pm EDT

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    your stupid no 72! melo got 41 points but only took 21 shots (11 of 21 FG's0. how could you call that a ball hog? he is a scorer stupid
  4. Steven
    85. Posted by Steven Fri Oct 30 8:36pm EDT

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    wtf is" there are sites for people that are love with the rapist", next time come with something better than that you moron.
  5. Steven
    84. Posted by Steven Fri Oct 30 8:27pm EDT

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    shut the @#$% up elroy jetson and you should go home and watch the jetsons. i don't think you know that much about basketball anyways.
  6. Elroy Jetson
    83. Posted by Elroy Jetson Fri Oct 30 8:14pm EDT

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    Steven - There are sites for people who are in love with the Rapist. Why not go to one, and be more at home? Run along now, son, you bother me.
  7. Elroy Jetson
    82. Posted by Elroy Jetson Fri Oct 30 8:04pm EDT

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    When Is Aldridge going to figure out that he's a POWER forward?! Not a 2 or a 3! It really is annoying, with the guy being so likeable. Hey Portland coaches, can't you do something about it? Coach the kid!
  8. Elroy Jetson
    81. Posted by Elroy Jetson Fri Oct 30 7:59pm EDT

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    #25 - You are So right!...........The Nugs played excellent D. Excellent. I hate Carmelo's personality,(who doesn't?) but his offensive game is unbeleivable! Between Melo, Karl, and KMart, they won't win any sportsmanship awards, but they just might take the NW again. The Blazers needed to shoot better, D or no D. Oh, well - see you in the playoffs, Nugs. One of these two must bring the Lakers to their knees this year. Please! Roy's shooting needs tuning-up, Portland. Beyond that, it's Next Stop, Playoffs.
  9. BigHugeGuy
    80. Posted by BigHugeGuy Fri Oct 30 7:48pm EDT

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    the blazers have no inside scoring!!! We are going to watch them take jump shots all season, they will have good nights and bad nights. I cant believe how easy it is to get the ball out of Odens hands under the basket! I thought he spent all summer working with Bano? Why didnt the address this problem. Im so irratated by it, that I dont care if he doesnt score, I just want him to hold onto the dam ball. When I see the ball get to him inside I can see it getting slapped away before it happens, and it happens everytime! Why are we paying Aldridge so much to be a turn around fade away rainbow jump shooter. He takes the shot with the most difficulty on purpose! Will the Blazers go one quarter this season without being in the penalty? They give up so many points at the free throw line. I wonder if they broke an nba record for most points alllowed at the line in a 2 game span. I dont see the Blazers making it out of the first round, they need to trade either joel or greg for a real post up scoring center if they want a chance.
  10. <i>k_helgoth</i>
    79. Posted by k_helgoth Fri Oct 30 7:04pm EDT

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    by the way, ANY road win in these conditions (second of back-to-back games to start the season, arriving at 4AM due to blizzard conditions in Denver, playing against a rested team) is commendable. Doesn't matter what their shooting percentage was, the found a way to win the game.
  11. Steven
    78. Posted by Steven Fri Oct 30 6:47pm EDT

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    hey kkevkevy who is hotter kristen kreuk or eliza dushku but kristen dunst is so ugly .
  12. P
    77. Posted by P Fri Oct 30 5:38pm EDT

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    Celtics Big 5 of Rondo, Sheed, KG, Allen, and Pierce over the Lakers Big 4 of Artest, Kobe, Bi-num, and Gay-sol
  13. Shelby
    76. Posted by Shelby Fri Oct 30 5:28pm EDT

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    Carmelo Anthony is a big fat BALL HOG. No wonder he had 41 pts. Portland is gonna go all they way this year. B-Roy is gonna take them to the championship!! Go Blazers!
  14. Lind
    75. Posted by Lind Fri Oct 30 3:30pm EDT

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    NBA is rigged thanks to Stern the next Bernie Madoff is Stern. NBA will fold
  15. Lind
    74. Posted by Lind Fri Oct 30 3:30pm EDT

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    NBA is rigged thanks to Stern the next Bernie Madoff is Stern. NBA will fold
  16. Rrl P
    73. Posted by Rrl P Fri Oct 30 2:42pm EDT

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    HEy Trailblazer Fans my curse goes on, over two years ago, I won a lunch with Nate M. for 4, and all I had to do was donate $$$ to a charity, I did my part and the Trailblazers have renigged on their part of the deal now I am required to keep in place a curse for lowered expectations, losing players, bad calls by refs, and bad karma for the rim at the free throw line, so every time one of them miss at the free throw, remember my curse of cobb a Rrl,
  17. <i>kkevkevy</i>
    72. Posted by kkevkevy Fri Oct 30 2:41pm EDT

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    fuc u and 50 steven y do u always keep putin that on the blogs who cares u @#$%
  18. tunit
    71. Posted by tunit Fri Oct 30 2:27pm EDT

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    Steven... Laker cant wina game in Portland!!! Shut your month about the Blazers not doing anything and going anywhere!! they really got tons of young players and just might take out the lakers in June!!
  19. kyle
    70. Posted by kyle Fri Oct 30 2:10pm EDT

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    I completely agree Carmelo has grown up and is a much better player and person. I am not completely sold on this yet. As much as I enojy watching Melo play, grow, and become a brute force, I do want to see how he is going to handle the down points of the season. Maybe losing 3-4 straight, having a string of bad games, or really getting NO calls. I do feel confident he will handle these situations better than before, but still, it is something I am eager to see!
  20. matt
    69. Posted by matt Fri Oct 30 2:08pm EDT

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    who cares game 2 @#$%es
  21. Steven
    68. Posted by Steven Fri Oct 30 2:07pm EDT

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    THE truth IS no ONE in THE nba COME close TO kobe's LEVEL...KOBE KICKS YOUR TEAM'S ASS!!
  22. Steven
    67. Posted by Steven Fri Oct 30 2:00pm EDT

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    Portland is one of those teams that never get anywhere, they just get in the way of better teams. As for the McNuggets and the birdman is just another Portland type of team.
  23. None
    66. Posted by None Fri Oct 30 1:55pm EDT

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    I know I'm in the wrong forum here but I just thought I would bring up Carmello's dunk from game 1 against Utah...... He's back, to all you haters on this post talking about "he couldn't miss" give me a break it's an expression being used to describe a player who has torn it up his first two games!! If that Roy or Oden none of you guys would be talking about it... Carmello is grown up, and has had time to put himself together on and off the court, watch out really, with all the attention on the Lebron's and Kobe's and D. Waydes, Carmello is going to make his mark this year!! To those putting Carmello in the same catergory as Lebron, Kobe and D. Wayde when it comes to fouls, don't because you don't put him in the same catergorey as these other players when it comes to skill and points, so don't do it when it comes to fouls, honestly if you watch a couple Nuggets games you will see how much Carmello drives to the hoop and doesn't get calls (this year has been better so far, we are only 2 games deep) and then watch Lebron or Kobe, they can take 5 steps without dribbling and if it even looks like they are going to miss a shot the refs will step and and bail them out! If you have bad breath and you are covering Kobe expect to get a foul called for that, Carmello on the other hand hasn't been liked nearly as much by our beloved David Stern, which means less calls and love from the league, I understand earning your respect but come on people it's time, Carmello isn't the same weed packing, cop hating 22 year old, he is matured and focused, quoting Melo "I'm back" haha Utah and Portland baby!!
  24. Sean M
    65. Posted by Sean M Fri Oct 30 1:38pm EDT

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    My darkest fears regarding Martin are coming true. He really built up a bad reputation in the playoffs last season and now he is in the crosshairs of the refs. I was at the Utah game Wednesday and there were two fouls on him that were marginal. Last night the holding call late was minor, but the Kobes, Pierces, and Melos of the world will get away with that while the Kmarts will not. I think he will foul out 20 times this year. Last year in the playoffs with lakers he became more of a liability than an asset.
  25. Sean M
    64. Posted by Sean M Fri Oct 30 1:38pm EDT

    Report Abuse

    My darkest fears regarding Martin are coming true. He really built up a bad reputation in the playoffs last season and now he is in the crosshairs of the refs. I was at the Utah game Wednesday and there were two fouls on him that were marginal. Last night the holding call late was minor, but the Kobes, Pierces, and Melos of the world will get away with that while the Kmarts will not. I think he will foul out 20 times this year. Last year in the playoffs with lakers he became more of a liability than an asset.
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Denver
C. Anthony Carmelo Anthony
11-21,  41 Pts
6 Rebs, 3 Assists
 Portland
B. Roy Brandon Roy
6-16,  30 Pts
5 Rebs, 5 Assists

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