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Celtics visit 'Melo-less Nuggets

Feb 24, 2011 - 3:47 PM (Sports Network) - With Carmelo Anthony across the country in New York, the Boston Celtics hope their visit to the Rocky Mountains tonight will be an even easier one as they take on the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.

Anthony was dealt to the Knicks earlier this week in a blockbuster deal that sent the former first-round pick and veteran guard Chauncey Billups to the Big Apple. Anthony did not play against Boston in a 105-89 loss at TD Garden back on Dec. 8 because of inflammation in his right knee. Ray Allen led the Celtics in that one with 28 points, giving them their third win in four tries in the series. Boston has lost five of six and six of its last eight at Denver.

The Celtics posted their third straight win overall with a 115-93 decision over Golden State on Tuesday in the opener of a four-game road trip. Kevin Garnett was a force with 24 points and 12 rebounds, Paul Pierce netted 23 points and Rajon Rondo ended with 19 points and 15 assists for Atlantic Division-leading Boston, which is 41-14 on the season and 16-9 as the guest.

"I thought Rondo, leadership-wise, throughout the game, he was getting on guys. I just thought that he was a coach on the floor tonight. He was terrific," Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said.

Boston shot 56 percent for the game and had a 52-35 edge on the glass. It also closed out the game on a 25-7 run and outscored the Warriors, 54-36, in the paint. The Celtics will make stops at the Clippers and Jazz during the western trek. On the injury front, center Kendrick Perkins will be sidelined tonight with a strained MCL in his left knee.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets began life after Anthony with Tuesday's 120-107 victory over the visiting Memphis Grizzlies. J.R. Smith scored 26 points, while both Arron Afflalo and Ty Lawson netted 21 for the Nuggets, winners in two straight and three of their last five games.

"Change is not something easy to accept. 'Melo's held down this city for a long time. But it's a change and it was going to take place eventually," said Afflalo.

Billups, Anthony Carter, Shelden Williams and Renaldo Balkman were all shipped to the Knicks, and Denver got Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler and Timofey Mozgov in return. The Nuggets had only eight players to suit up against the Grizzlies.

Denver is a solid 23-7 at home this season. On the injury front for the Nuggets, Smith is questionable for Thursday with a balky right leg.