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Nuggets set franchise records in rout of Sonics

Mar 17, 2008 - 5:09 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- The Denver Nuggets have been using the first quarter to make a mockery of their opposition. And no team has been made a mockery of by Denver more than the Seattle SuperSonics.

Marcus Camby had 13 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his second triple-double of the season and Carmelo Anthony scored 26 points to power the Nuggets to a 168-116 rout of the Seattle SuperSonics on Sunday.

After a 44-point opening quarter in Friday's blowout win over the Toronto Raptors, Denver scored a season-high 48 points in the first period Sunday en route to setting a new NBA season high for points in a game and a franchise record for points in a regulation contest.

"I think we came in with the right mind-set in the first quarter," Camby said. "Forty-eight points in the first quarter is pretty much unheard of. We kept it going and were very unselfish with the basketball."

Even worse for the Sonics is that after a 120-103 loss to the Nuggets to open the season, the margin of defeat against Denver has gotten considerably worse.

Denver routed Seattle by 42 points in a 138-96 blowout on February 27 - the Nuggets' previous season-high point total - only to be bested by Sunday's point total and franchise-record 52-point difference.

"We had no answer for them," Sonics forward Chris Wilcox said. "Anytime you lose like that, it is embarrassing. We just got to keep our heads up and keep playing."

The Nuggets, who led by as many as 55 in the fourth quarter, fell 16 points shy of the franchise record, set in a 186-184 triple-overtime loss to the Detroit Pistons on December 13, 1983.

"It was pretty impressive," Anthony said. "It was a great game. We got up and down the court and we knocked down our shots. When we get at least 30 assists, we don't lose."

The only suspense after the opening quarter was how quickly Camby would reach his triple-double after a seven-point, nine-rebound, three-assist first quarter and whether the Nuggets could set or match some franchise records.

Denver raced out to a 19-point lead courtesy of 69 percent (18-for-26) shooting from the field.

After the initial onslaught, the Nuggets used their proficiency from the arc in the second quarter to stretch the lead to 84-58 at the break, going 5-for-13 from 3-point range in the period, and setting another NBA season high for points in a half.

Sensing that Camby was flirting with another triple-double, the Nuggets made a concerted effort to get it for him.

Camby recorded five assists in the third quarter alone, getting his 10th assist with 1:21 left in the period on a 3-pointer from Chucky Atkins to extend the lead to 123-80 before exiting the game for good with 31 seconds remaining in the period and his fourth career triple-double in hand.

"Marcus was awesome passing the ball," Nuggets coach George Karl said. "Sometimes, I think he is the best point guard that we have. When we pass this well, we can beat anyone."

Allen Iverson finished with 24 points and Kenyon Martin added 23 for the Nuggets, who have won three straight games by an average of 35.3 points. They beat Memphis by 22 Wednesday and Toronto by 32 on Friday.

In all, eight Denver players finished in double figures.

Rookie Kevin Durant had 23 points for the Sonics, who have lost eight straight.

"We are a young team and we do not know how to win," Sonics guard Earl Watson said. "That is something we need to learn quickly or we will get embarrassed. Our opponents could care less what our situation is as a team."