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Nuggets-Knicks Preview

Mar 23, 2010 - 1:28 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Denver (47-23) at New York (25-45), 7:30 p.m. EDT

Carmelo Anthony usually plays well against the New York Knicks. He was at his best the last time his Denver Nuggets faced them.

The Nuggets could use another big effort from their All-Star forward as they look to bounce back from their latest loss while trying for a fifth consecutive win over the Knicks on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

Anthony has enjoyed many big scoring nights during his stellar seven-year NBA career, but none bigger than his career-high 50-point effort in a 128-125 home win over New York on Nov. 27. He shot 17 of 28 from the field and his last two points came off free throws that helped secure the win.

"If I didn't say I wanted to get (50), I'd be lying to you," Anthony said after that contest.

Anthony has had little trouble scoring against the Knicks, averaging 29.6 points in 13 career games and 31.3 on 53.9 percent shooting in his last four at Madison Square Garden. He could be in store for another big night against the Knicks (25-45), who've allowed 117.8 points per game during their four-game skid against Denver.

The Nuggets (47-23), who have won three of four at Madison Square Garden, are opening a five-game road trip that features visits to playoff contenders Boston, Toronto, Orlando and Dallas after this contest.

Denver is coming off its second loss in 10 games, 102-97 at home to Milwaukee on Saturday.

"Hopefully, we learn from it and change our strategy to where we can be successful again," guard Arron Afflalo told the Nuggets' official Web site.

Anthony and Chauncey Billups each had 29 points against the Bucks, but Anthony went 10 of 29 from the field and missed a series of shots in the final minutes as the Nuggets shot 37.2 percent - their lowest mark at home this season.

Billups, who totaled 20 points in his previous two games before breaking out against the Bucks, had 32 versus the Knicks in November.

New York's Al Harrington scored 41 points in that contest to lead the Knicks, who are one of three teams to score 125 points against the Nuggets this season. That's the highest point total allowed by Denver in 2009-10.

"Usually, you would hope when you have a night like this, that you'd definitely win one," Harrington said after that November loss.

Harrington was held to four points in New York's 116-112 home loss to Houston on Sunday.

David Lee had 27 with 20 rebounds and Tracy McGrady finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes against his former team, but the Knicks blew an early 17-point lead and lost for the second time in three games.

It was one of the more complete games for McGrady, who's still recovering from 2009 microfracture knee surgery. He's averaging 10.9 points, 4.3 boards and 4.1 assists in 16 games since being traded to New York.

"It was probably one of my better all-around games with the way I played physically and the way I felt," McGrady told the Knicks' official Web site. "I tried to do a little bit of everything. I tried to post, tried to go outside, tried to rebound a little bit, tried to make plays."

McGrady has averaged 22.8 points in 24 career games against Denver.