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melo4life · 02-02-2007, 12:59 AM

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Allen Iverson hopes to be back in the lineup on Friday when the Denver Nuggets try to snap a four-game losing streak as they close a home-and-home set with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Iverson did not travel with the Nuggets (22-21) for Wednesday's 100-91 loss at Portland (20-27) because of a sprained ankle, but he expects to return on Friday. This game would mark just the sixth time he and teammate Carmelo Anthony have played together.

Iverson came to Denver in December while Anthony was suspended for his role in the fight between the Knicks and the Nuggets. While the trade brought two of the league's highest scoring players together, Denver is just 8-11 with Iverson in the lineup and only 2-3 with both him and Anthony on the floor.

Still, coach George Karl said the return of Iverson could be the difference maker for Friday's game.

"Our penetration goes up 25 times a game," Karl said. "No one can stop him from going where he wants to go."

Without Iverson on Wednesday, the Nuggets played one of their poorer offensive games of the last few weeks. Anthony led the team with 33 points, but he and Marcus Camby, who added 17 points, were the only starters to score in double figures.

Nene Hilario scored 14 points off the bench for the Nuggets, who tied a season low with 13 assists and committed 19 turnovers.

It was the first time in nine games that Denver, which averages 105.5 points per game, was held below the century mark.

"With only 13 assists I don't think you'll win very many basketball games," Karl said. "You've got to make a lot more plays with each other than that. We took way too many forced shots."

Denver is shooting 26.6 percent (17-of-64) from 3-point range during its four-game skid.

A fifth consecutive defeat Friday means the Nuggets would match their longest losing streak of the season, set from Dec. 29-Jan. 6 while Anthony was suspended.

Denver is 12-12 at the Pepsi Center, where it will play three of its next four. Though the Nuggets have lost two straight and seven of 10 at home, Portland has lost six in a row and 12 of 13 at Denver.

The Blazers, however, are feeling confident after their fourth win in six games overall and first over the Nuggets since Feb. 2, 2005. Portland had lost the previous eight meetings.

"That was a big win," said Joel Przybilla, who tied a season high with five blocked shots. "They've had our number the past couple of years."

Leading scorer Zach Randolph, averaging 25.4 points over the last six games, had 26 points and a season-high 17 rebounds on Wednesday for his 28th double-double of the season.

Portland plays five of its next seven games on the road, where the team is 8-15 and has lost five of six.

Hopefully Denver can snap their 4 game losing streak against the Portland Trail Blazers, at home I think we have got this one in the bag, I'm sure we will want to get some revenge, and especially Carmelo not being chosen for the All-Star Game, should be a positive result.

melo4life · 02-02-2007, 03:51 PM

Has anyone got any news on Iverson?

Kuskid · 02-02-2007, 04:04 PM

Allen's been out of town (family funeral), last I heard he was going to be back in Denver today, and was still listed as questionable.

melo4life · 02-02-2007, 06:36 PM

Doesnt look like he is playing, not a very good start either

melo4life · 02-02-2007, 06:40 PM

Not a good first term, down by 10 at the end of the 1st

Melo's Answer · 02-02-2007, 08:35 PM

MARCUS F'N CAMBY!!!!!

with a NASTY block with 30 seconds to go when we were up 3 to pretty much seal the game

it is now 96-92 with 22 seconds left

We should be able to hold on to this one, I just hope we dont score 100 so we can get that monkey off our back

Melo's Answer · 02-02-2007, 08:39 PM

thanks to missed FTs by blake at the end of this game the amazing ROY is able to tie the game with 3 seconds left

DAMNIT!!!

Melo's Answer · 02-02-2007, 08:41 PM

Melo Misses the buzzer shot and NENE tips it in AFTER the buzzer were heading to OT

Melo's Answer · 02-02-2007, 08:55 PM

Alright this ones over Nuggets up 7 with 33 seconds left

Great Job NUGGETS!!

melo4life · 02-03-2007, 05:30 AM

How good was Camby, 8 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 5 blocks... and Melo was awesome in the last half, great job Nuggs

jericho · 02-03-2007, 06:51 AM

I think I cursed the first quarter by saying (under my breath) this was a must-win for Denver. Horrible, horrible defense for a depressing stretch. I saw guys (especially Anthony and Nene) standing flatfooted without even waving their arms around, and Camby kept drifting out to the perimeter. Karl (or his successor) has got to phase out of this love of the zone...they seem to go for long stretches of constantly leaving shooters open. Work on closing the lanes, denying the easy jump shot, and funneling penetrators toward the shotblocker.

Easier said than done, I know. It was a relief to see them pull it out, and it did turn in to a fun game to watch.

**Husstla** · 02-03-2007, 10:50 AM

Anyone else think Steve Blake is another Steve Nash in the making?

melo4life · 02-03-2007, 05:00 PM

OMG, that's exactly what i was thinking for the whole game, especially at the half when he had like 10 assists, great pickup by the nuggets, and i have seen some highlights of last nights game, looks like our defence is improving slowly

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