Final
'Melo finally makes it to New Jersey as Nets host Nuggets
Jan 31, 2011 - 4:11 PM (Sports Network) - It's unknown what type of reaction Carmelo Anthony will receive when he steps on the floor at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ tonight, but either way his Denver Nuggets will be determined to end a five- game sojourn on a high note against a struggling New Jersey Nets squad.Trade talks between Anthony and the Nets fell through a few weeks ago when Mikhail Prokhorov, New Jerseys billionaire owner, opted to end discussions of a possible blockbuster deal because he believed it was a major distraction to the team. Anthony will be a free agent at the end of the season and already turned down a contract extension with the Nuggets. He's been rumored to have interest in signing with the New York Knicks.
Anthony and the Nuggets fell to 3-1 on a five-game road trip after suffering a 110-99 loss in Philadelphia Sunday night. Anthony had just 12 points on 3- of-12 shooting and Chauncey Billups picked up the slack with 27 points for Denver, which had a four-game overall winning streak stopped and is 8-14 away from the Rocky Mountains. J.R. Smith posted 23 points off the bench in defeat. The Nuggets had 17 turnovers, six from Anthony, for 16 Philadelphia points.
"We had too many turnovers," Nuggets head coach George Karl said. "Turnovers let them run."
Karl's team is still a dominant 8-3 in the past 11 games and two games behind Oklahoma City for bragging right in the talented Northwest Division.
New Jersey has lost two straight after winning four of five games, and will begin a quick homestand tonight versus the Nuggets and Sixers.
The Nets lost both bouts on a recent tour through Indiana and Milwaukee, suffering a 91-81 setback against the Bucks on Saturday. Brook Lopez led the way with 26 points and Anthony Morrow provided 16 in defeat.
"We need to get back to swinging the ball because that's what we do when we're playing well," said Nets guard Devin Harris, who had 10 points and a game-best 16 assists. "We do it at home but now we have to start doing it on the road as well."
The Nets shot 40 percent from the floor and were outrebounded, 44-38. They will try to work on their 11-11 home mark versus the Nuggets. Harris is probable with a bruised shin and guard Jordan Farmar is doubtful with a lower back strain.
Denver beat New Jersey, 107-103, on Nov. 20 this season at the Pepsi Center, as Anthony scored 28 points and sank the game-sealing foul shots in the waning moments of the game. Nene had 22 points in that one for the Nuggets, winners of four straight in the series. Denver is just 4-15 in its last 19 trips to New Jersey.
- DENVER: 99
NEW JERSEY: 115
Final
Jan 31 9:33 PM - DENVER: 78
NEW JERSEY: 85
End of 3rd
Jan 31 8:57 PM - DENVER: 50
NEW JERSEY: 63
Halftime
Jan 31 8:16 PM - DENVER: 21
NEW JERSEY: 31
End of 1st
Jan 31 7:37 PM - DENVER: 0
NEW JERSEY: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Jan 31 7:12 PM
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