Recap: Denver vs. Memphis
Sports Network | November 09, 2008
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Denver Nuggets in a 100-90 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Nene chipped in 18 points and 12 boards for the Nuggets, who have won two straight. Chauncey Billups added 16 points and 10 assists, while Linas Kleiza and Renaldo Balkman had 12 apiece.
Denver lost Chris Andersen in the first quarter to a fractured rib after he took a charge in the lane. There's no word on how long he will be sidelined.
"It wasn't an easy win for us," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "Marc (Iavaroni) has Memphis playing at a better level. Our defense got better and we wore them down as the game went on."
O.J. Mayo had a game-high 31 points and hauled in eight boards for the Grizzlies, who have alternated wins and losses for all seven games this season. Rudy Gay gave 16 points in a losing effort.
"My teammates got me the ball and I had a lot of open looks," said Mayo. "Denver did a good job of slowing me down in the second half, though."
Three free throws and a putback slam from Anthony gave the Nuggets an 83-76 lead with 7:11 left in the tilt.
Up five points moments later, Balkman connected on a layup that set the tone for a 13-2 Denver run that basically put the game away. Nene closed it out with a layup that made it 98-82 with 3:21 to play.
The Grizzlies used a 10-1 run to close out the first and take a 34-28 lead into the second stanza. The Nuggets fought back and cut it to 54-53 heading into the intermission.
The Nuggets outscored the Grizzlies 20-15 in the third quarter to assume a 73-69 lead heading into the final 12 minutes of play.
Anthony poured in a layup and was fouled by Darrell Arthur before connecting on a three-point play to give the home team a 76-69 lead with 11:41 left in the game.
Five straight points from Quinton Ross, though, pulled Memphis back in it, 76-74.
Denver's J.R. Smith scored his 3,000th point...Denver forward Kenyon Martin did not play due to a sprained left wrist...The Nuggets won all four meetings with Memphis last year and have won seven of eight and 13 of the past 16 encounters...Memphis has dropped four straight and 21 of 22 games in Denver...Anthony 10-of-10 from foul line and over his last two games is 24-for-24.
