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Iverson, Nuggets look to end slide against slumping Blazers

Jan 14, 2007 - 3:44 PM Denver (17-17) at Portland (15-23) 9:00 pm EST

PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Allen Iverson must have hoped for more points - and more wins - when he joined the Denver Nuggets nearly a month ago.

Iverson and the Nuggets look to reverse their recent slide and avoid falling below the .500 mark for the first time since November when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.

A four-time league scoring champion, Iverson arrived in Denver with much fanfare when he was traded from Philadelphia on December 19.

But the Nuggets have struggled to a 3-8 record since acquiring Iverson, who has appeared tentative at times while adapting to his new teammates and surroundings. The 6-foot Iverson, who averaged a career-high 33.0 points per game last season, is scoring just 26.8 points in 11 contests with Denver.

The Nuggets' recent struggles can be attributed to the absence of NBA leading scorer Carmelo Anthony, who still is serving a 15-game suspension from last month's brawl in New York. Denver is just 4-8 without Anthony, who averages 31.6 points per game.

A loss Sunday would give the Nuggets a losing record for the first time since November 15, when they dropped a 108-99 decision at Orlando to fall to 3-4.

The Trail Blazers have lost nine of 12 contests since a season-high five-game winning streak from December 10-20. However, Portland showed signs of life Friday in a 95-87 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

Zach Randolph scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and reserve Juan Dixon chipped in 21 points for the Blazers, who snapped a three-game skid and persevered without injured point guard Jarrett Jack.

Portland's leader in assists (5.6) and third-leading scorer (12.5), Jack was hospitalized Friday morning after suffering a concussion in a car accident.

Dan Dickau started in Jack's place Friday and scored a season-high 11 points.