The Denver Nuggets are in search of their first 6-0 start
since the 1985-86 campaign, and will resume a six-game road trip Friday night
against the Miami Heat at AmericanAirlines Arena.
The Nuggets improved to 2-0 on the trek following Wednesday's 122-94 rout of
the New Jersey Nets at the IZOD Center. Rookie point guard Ty Lawson scored a
game-high 23 points and Carmelo Anthony netted 22 for Denver, which got 18
points and 10 rebounds from Kenyon Martin.
"The first half, we couldn't really get it going," said Nuggets point guard
Chauncey Billups, who ended with 12 points and five assists. "There's not many
times that (Anthony) and myself are off at the same time. Our bench came in
and played great."
Denver is 3-0 on the road this season and will also visit Atlanta, Chicago and
Milwaukee on the current swing. Anthony was leading the league in scoring
until Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers took over slightly. Bryant is
averaging 33.2 points per game and Anthony is pouring in 32.0 ppg.
The Heat, meanwhile, will start a five-game homestand Friday and are off to a
sizzling 4-1 start. They just beat Washington, 93-89, on Wednesday thanks to a
40-point effort from All-Star Dwyane Wade.
"That's why you put the extra work in at the gym after practice or at nights,
so you can get that moment that when you're tired, you can make those shots.
It's a good feeling, it never gets old," Wade confided.
Quentin Richardson chipped in 19 points and nine rebounds, while Udonis Haslem
came off the bench for 13 points and seven boards for Miami, which was coming
off its first loss of the season on Tuesday against Phoenix.
Miami will also host the Wizards, Cavaliers, Nets and Thunder on the
residency. Heat guard Mario Chalmers (bruised calf) is listed as probable for
tonight's game.
Denver won both matchups with Miami a year ago and is unbeaten in the past
eight contests in this series. The Nuggets have won nine of 10 and 12 of the
previous 14 engagements with the Heat, who have lost four in a row as the host
versus Friday's opponent.
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