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Nuggets return home to face 76ers

Dec 26, 2010 - 4:00 PM (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets are back in the Rocky Mountains for two straight games, starting with Sunday's bout versus the Philadelphia 76ers at the Pepsi Center.

Denver dropped both contests on a two-game trek and suffered a 114-106 loss at Oklahoma City on Christmas Day, as Kevin Durant poured in a season-high 44 points to lead the victors.

Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony missed his second game in a row following the death of his sister, Michelle Anthony, who passed away due to a pre- existing medical condition. Denver's top player is not expected to play tonight and leads the team with averages of 24.0 points and 8.3 rebounds this season.

Chauncey Billups picked up the slack in Anthony's absence with a season-high 30 points and Nene added 21 points and 12 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have dropped six of nine games since a seven-game winning streak.

"We're just giving up too many points on the road, trying to outscore people," Nuggets coach George Karl said.

Ty Lawson had 19 points off the bench in defeat. Denver will also host Portland is 12-2 at home. On the season, the Nuggets are 9-10 when giving up 100-plus points, including a dismal 1-8 mark on the road.

Philadelphia will resume an eight-game road trip Sunday in the Rockies and is coming off Wednesday's close 84-80 loss to the mighty Boston Celtics.

Elton Brand led the way with 16 points and 12 rebounds, but fouled out late in the fourth quarter. Jrue Holiday added 15 points, Lou Williams netted 12 and Tony Battie scored 10 for the Sixers, who have lost two straight and fell to 1-2 on the current excursion.

"Our team is competitive," said Sixers head coach Doug Collins. "Our guys compete every single night. For them to come out and play the Celtics the way we did, they showed me who they are. I knew our guys were going to compete like this."

Brand has posted six double-doubles in his last 11 games and is averaging team-highs of 15.0 points, 8.4 rebounds, 1.43 steals and 1.25 blocks. Collins' squad has lost three of four overall and will also visit the Warriors, Suns, Lakers and Hornets on the trip. The Sixers haven't fared so well as the guest this season, going 3-12 away from Well Fargo Center.

The 76ers are 8-5 over their past 13 games after starting the season 3-13.

Denver and Philly split a home-and-home series a year ago, with each team claiming victory as the visitor. The Nuggets are 9-5 in the previous 14 meetings between the teams.