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Northwest rivals clash in the Rockies as Nuggets entertain Blazers

Feb 2, 2011 - 4:40 PM (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets are back home for consecutive games, starting with tonight's showdown versus the Northwest Division-rival Portland Trail Blazers at the Pepsi Center.

Denver will also host division-foe Utah in the Rocky Mountains and owns an impressive 20-5 mark in Colorado this season. It just went 3-2 on a five-game eastern road trip and lost the final two installments in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Carmelo Anthony shot 3-of-12 from the field for 12 points in Sunday's loss against the Sixers, but bounced back with a 37-point performance in Monday's 115-99 setback at the Nets.

Anthony, who was being heavily courted by New Jersey before trade talks fell through, made 12-of-22 shot from the floor and also grabbed nine rebounds for the Nuggets, who had won four in a row before their latest slump. Chauncey Billups added 19 points and five assists, while Nene chipped in 16 points in a losing effort.

"It was another game," Anthony said about all drama surrounding his appearance against the team that twice thought it was close to trading for him. "I wanted to come out and bounce back from the game last night in Philly. It didn't happen, I couldn't do it. We've lost two in a row and now we have to go home and bounce back again."

The Nuggets are 2-13 this season when failing to reach the century mark in scoring (0-10 on the road). They have also allowed 100-plus points in nine straight games overall, going 17-16 this season when doing so. Forward Al Harrington (foot) is doubtful for tonight's game.

Portland will begin a three-game road trip tonight against the Nuggets, Pacers and Cavaliers, and is scheduled to play six of its next seven games away from the Rose Garden. The Blazers are 9-15 as the guest this season.

The Trail Blazers just went 3-2 on a five-game homestand and ended a two-game slide with Tuesday's 99-86 victory over the NBA-best San Antonio Spurs. LaMarcus Aldridge posted a career-high 40 points to go with 11 rebounds and Wesley Matthews added 21 points for Portland, which is 6-2 in its last eight games overall.

"Big win," Aldridge said on the team's site. "Big win for us. We talked about this is one of the best teams in the league, of course by their record. We wanted to try to come out and try to go at them a little bit and we end up getting a win tonight."

Andre Miller had 18 points and nine assists in a winning effort. Aldridge entered last night's game posting 24.9 points and 10.4 rebounds, and boosted his averages against the Spurs.

The 2010-11 series between the Blazers and Nuggets is tied at a game apiece, with each team winning as the host. Denver has won 10 of 16 matchups with Portland, which has dropped five straight and 20 of its last 22 trips to the Rockies.