Afflalo and Anthony star as the Nuggets thrash the Suns 132-98
There was a lot at stake for Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets coming into Tuesday night’s showdown against the Phoenix Suns. Two nights after being jeered at like never been before at the Pepsi Centre, for scoring a season-low 8 points against the
New Orleans Hornets, Anthony had a reputation to build.
Denver also had some high stakes to cater for. For the last four seasons, the Nuggets are the only team that hasn’t lost four in a row. Heading into the duel with the Suns, they were on the verge of giving-up that honour. However, Anthony and the Nuggets
both overcame their demons in style. The prolific sharp-shooter set the court ablaze with 28 points, as the Nuggets trounced the Suns by a comprehensive 34-point margin to roll on to a 132-98 blow-out win.
Anthony, who was once the Nuggets mainstay, has been the centre of controversy ever since rumours about his possible transfer to New Jersey or New York have surfaced. He however, redeemed himself on Tuesday and the boos directed towards him at the start
of the match, slowly turned into cheers as the game progressed.
Three Denver starters notched up double figures, with Aaron Afflalo leading the pack with a career-high 31 points and nine rebounds. Afflalo had a nearly perfect night, going 11-for-14 from the field and hit all seven of his foul shots. Anthony followed
with 28 points and 10 boards while Nene finished with 11. It was the Nuggets bench strength though that stood up and proved its worth on the night. Ty Lawson, J.R. Smith and Al Harrington came off the bench to combine for 41 points, 12 assists and 13 rebounds.
Although five players from the visiting Suns also featured in double figures, none got above 15. Steve Nash led the pack with 15 points and seven assists, while Vince Carter finished with 15 points and six rebounds. The Suns though failed to arrest their
downward slide, losing eight of their last ten games.
A frustrated Steve Nash said after the match, "We've had plenty of talks. If we keep talking, I think that lends itself to stupidity. We've got to go out there and demand more of ourselves and go out there and play harder and try to win even if it's not
pretty."
The Suns got off to thundering start as they ran riot on the Nuggets defence to carve out a 13-6 lead within the first six minute of play. The visitors showcased an exhilarating offensive prowess in the first quarter to take a 30-22 advantage. The end of
the first quarter though, marked the departure of the Suns’ defence, as the Nuggets launched one spurt after another to completely turn the match on its head.
In the first quarter Denver was 6-for-17 from the field. Over the span of the next two quarters the Nuggets shot 66 percent from the field and took a 102-72 lead into the fourth. They were never threatened in the fourth frame as they routed the listless
Suns 132-98.
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