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Nuggets reeling without F Anthony

Dec 26, 2008 - 11:24 AM Philadelphia (12-16) at Denver (18-11) 9:00 p.m. EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Denver Nuggets need Carmelo Anthony back in the lineup as soon as possible.

After losing four of their last five games, the Nuggets look to get back on track Friday when they host the Philadelphia 76ers.

Anthony has been bothered by a right elbow contusion for weeks but had not missed any time due to the injury.

However, after the two-time All-Star tied his season low with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting in a 108-101 loss to Phoenix on Saturday, Anthony decided to sit out a home-and-home series against Portland.

He is not expected back until Sunday's road contest against the New York Knicks at the earliest.

Without Anthony, who is averaging 20.5 points and 7.4 rebounds in 25 games, Denver managed to snap a three-game slide with an eight-point victory over the Trail Blazers on Monday, but dropped a 101-92 decision in the back end of the home-and-home series.

Denver hopes to bounce back against the 76ers, who have lost two straight games, including a 110-91 setback against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday in the opener of a season high, six-game road trip.

The back-to-back losses come after Philadelphia won its first three games under interim coach Tony DiLeo, who took over after Maurice Cheeks was fired on December 13.