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Carmelo victorious in return to Carrier Dome

Oct 18, 2008 - 2:42 AM SYRACUSE, New York (Ticker) -- Carmelo Anthony scored 14 points in his second game back at the Carrier Dome since turning pro as the Denver Nuggets captured a 94-91 exhibition victory over the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

The Most Outstanding Player during Syracuse's only national championship season in 2003, Anthony received a very warm welcome from the 22,115 in attendance, even chanting his nickname of "Melo."

Playing mainly in the first half, Anthony finished 6-of-14 from the field with nine rebounds and five assists.

Denver remained unbeaten in the preseason at 4-0 thanks in part to the late play of Linas Kleiza and Dahntay Jones, who combined for 14 of the team's final 16 points.

After Phoenix took an 82-78 lead on a 3-pointer by Robert Hite with 4:43 remaining, Kleiza responded with a basket from the arc. Jones later scored five straight points, including a three-point play, en route to a 86-82 advantage with 3:41 left.

Matt Barnes came back with a jumper for the Suns, but Kleiza had a driving layup and he and Jones both made a pair of free throws inside the final 1:23 to seal the win.

Kleiza ended up with 11 points and Jones had nine for the Nuggets, who got only four points in 27 minutes from Allen Iverson.

Raja Bell scored 15 points and Hite collected all 12 of his in the fourth for the Suns, who dropped to 2-3 in the preseason.