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'Melo's drama hits Memphis as Nuggets visit Grizzlies

Feb 13, 2011 - 3:46 PM (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets kick off a three-game road trip Sunday against the resurgent Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.

Denver has dominated Memphis in recent years, winning 11 of the past 12 games between the two teams, including a 108-107 nail-biter in the Rockies back on Dec. 5.

The Nuggets also snapped a two-game skid and halted Dallas' 10-game winning streak on Thursday when Arron Afflalo buried a game-winning 19-footer at the buzzer, lifting Denver to an unlikely comeback victory over the Mavericks, 121-120.

Afflalo scored 19 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and helped Denver erase a 13-point deficit in the final stanza.

Dirk Nowitzki broke a 119-all tie by hitting 1-of-2 from the foul line with 19.6 seconds showing, but Afflalo, after Chauncey Billups dished to him from the top of the key, spotted up from just inside the three-point line and drained the deciding bucket to halt a two-game slide in dramatic fashion.

"I've hit some big shots before, but never have I made an actual game-winner," Afflalo admitted.

Carmelo Anthony, who fouled out when he nicked Nowitzki on the right block in the closing seconds, ended with 42 points, while Billups added 30 for the Nuggets, who made a healthy 15-of-31 from three-point range.

Anthony, the subject of rampant trade rumors as the Feb. 24 deadline approaches, is averaging 35.4 points in his last five games.

Despite being without star forward Zach Randolph the Grizzlies took the opener of a three-game homestand on Friday when Mike Conley finished with 23 points, eight assists and five rebounds, as Memphis pulled out an 89-86 victory over Milwaukee.

Sam Young added 19 points with a career-high eight rebounds while Rudy Gay scored 14 with 10 boards for the Grizzlies, who have won two straight and seven of nine. Darrell Arthur added 12 points and eight boards for the victors, Lionel Hollins' 100th career coaching win with Memphis.

Conley got the better of opposing guard Brandon Jennings, who he considers to be among the best in the league.

"I always look forward to playing some of the better point guards and I just wanted to come out aggressive and compete," Conley said.

Randolph, scoring 20.2 points per game and pulling down a career-best 13.2 rebounds, was sidelined with a sprained right ankle and his status for today's game remains uncertain.