After winning two of three games without their captain and leading scorer, the Denver Nuggets are ready to welcome Carmelo Anthony back into the starting lineup. Anthony is expected to return when the Nuggets begin a four-game road trip Sunday against the New York Knicks.
"I'm going to try to (play)," he said Friday. His presence not only will add depth to a thin frontcourt, but it will relieve some scoring pressure from point guard Chauncey Billups and center Nene. Some good did come from Anthony being in street clothes. J.R. Smith moved into the starting lineup and turned in two strong performances.
Smith scored 27 points on 7-for-11 three-point shooting Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers. The performance came three nights after he managed just six points and missed all five of his three-point attempts in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.
While Smith replaced Anthony's scoring, Billups continues to provide a calming influence. The veteran averaged 20.7 points and 7.7 assists without Anthony. Perhaps more importantly, he helped show his younger teammates that they have the ability to win big games without a full lineup.
NUGGETS 105, 76ERS 101: Despite committing a season-high 24 turnovers, the Nuggets were able to overcome a 17-point third-quarter deficit against the mistake-prone Sixers. Denver made seven of its 15 three-pointers in the final quarter, and Kenyon Martin provided the decisive basket with a two-handed dunk with nine seconds remaining.
