Anthony Leads the Nuggets’ Four Straight Wins

The Denver Nuggets are boosting their chances to get into the Western Conference playoffs.

The Nuggets beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-105 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, on Friday thanks to the sterling performances of Carmelo Anthony (scoring 32 points) and Allen Iverson.

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The Nuggets’ four-game winning streak brought the 9th placed team (44 wins 28 defeats) closer to the 8th ranked Golden State Warriors (44 wins 27 defeats), trailing by half a game. The Warriors defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 111-95, keeping pace in the fierce competition.

Anthony and Iverson combined for 63 points, half the team’s total, leading their team to victory.

Fans gave Brazilian forward Nene Hilario, who recently underwent surgery to remove a malignant tumor, a standing ovation in the final 77 seconds of the game.

The Mavericks’ Josh Howard’s 30 points and Jason Kidd’s 19 points and 15 assists were not enough for the win without star Dirk Nowitzki who sat out due to injury.

Denver trailed 60-70 in the first half, but when Anthony slammed in a basket with 5:34 left in the third quarter, it gave the team an 80-79 lead, with Anthony Carter chipping in crucial points.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons beat the Miami Heat 85-69 and clinched the Central Division in the Eastern Conference. The Heat has only 13 wins (59 defeats) this season, missing the playoffs for the second straight year.

Detroit was without shooting guard Richard Hamilton due to injury, but Aaron Affalo scored 15 points in his place.

Also, the New Jersey Nets with a record of 31 wins and 41 losses announced it has no intention to change coaches.

New Jersey Nets President Rod Thorn said, “I know the media and fans may want coach Lawrence Frank replaced, but I don’t have any intention of replacing him at all.”

hic@donga.com