Nene leads Nuggets to an impressive 109-90 victory over Portland
When three of the starters outscore Wesley Matthews and no one in the locker room seems to mind, it is a good night for the Denver Nuggets.
Nene had 22 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to give Denver a decided bench advantage in a 109-90 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center.
Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups had 20 each for Denver, who won their 29th game of the 2010-11 season. J.R. Smith scored 16 points while Kenyon Martin ended with 11 points in the home victory.
Blazers guard Wesley Matthews sprained his right ankle late in the first half and returned in the final quarter. However, Matthews managed to score a team-high 19 points in the defeat.
Matthews said after the game, "That is the ankle that has been messed up. I heard some pops, heard, and felt some pops. It calmed down and I was able to return again. I am always going to come out here and play for my team-mates. I can't afford to get hurt,
can't afford to let something slow me down. If I am walking, I am good."
LaMarcus Aldridge added 18 points and nine rebounds, while Nicolas Batum finished with 17 points for Portland, who lost their 23rd game of the season.
Match Analysis
The Nuggets played the opening quarter offensively but the Blazers put together a 6-0 run to take a 23-22 lead with seven seconds remaining in the first quarter. Portland and Denver began the second quarter at a crisp pace, using 23 possessions apiece. However,
the Blazers maintained a 46-45 lead at half time.
The Nuggets came on strong in the second, recovering from their mistakes by turning up their defensive intensity again, and continued their balanced scoring attack. Denver held a 77-70 edge going into the final stanza.
The Blazers fought hard in the fourth to make the score a respectable one as the two free throws by Aldridge made it 81-74 with nine minutes remaining. Smith then hit a three-pointer and Arron Afflalo made a short jumper to give Denver a 12-point (91-79)
advantage for good.
Nene’s four free throws further extended the lead to 15 points (99-84), and the Blazers did not get closer for rest of the period. Denver Head Coach George Karl said, "I thought in the second half we had a defensive mindset led by Kenyon. In addition, Chauncey
made some big shots. As the game went on, we got a little more consistent with our decisions."
Up Next
The Denver Nuggets will next host the Utah Jazz on Friday, 4 February, 2011 at the Pepsi Center.
The Portland Trail Blazers will play their next match against the Indiana Pacers on Friday, 4 February, 2011 at Conseco Field house.
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