Melo hits 50 in Nuggets’ win

Superstar forward Carmelo Anthony and floor general Chauncey Billups combined for 82 points in the close win over the Knicks. Anthony had his first 50-point night.

Melo’s 50 offset the Knicks forward Al Harrington’s 41 points. Both players had great shooting nights, but the Nuggets found a way to get by the dangerous Knicks.

New York’s record is misleading to the actual talent that the team has. The Knicks are a jump-shooting team and when on, are one of the hardest teams to beat. The Knicks were on Friday night after shooting 49 percent from the field as a team and most of their shots were jump shots.

David Lee did have a good game for the Knicks in the paint after scoring 23 points and adding 10 rebounds, but Kenyon Martin and Nene’s combined 17 points and 22 rebounds helped solidify the win.

J.R. Smith added 17 points off the bench and hit four critical 3-pointers for the Nuggets, including three in the second half. In the fourth quarter, Smith hit a 3-pointer with Harrington of the Knicks hitting one right after. Smith got the ball on the next position and hit another 3.

Altitude’s Scott Hastings sang “anything you can do I can do better,” as Smith matched Harrington on back-to-back 3s. Smith showed that he was the 3- point king Friday night at the Pepsi Center.

The win Friday night moved the Nuggets to 7-0 at home and first overall in the Northwest division after the Trail Blazers lost to the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Nuggets will look to keep the home win streak rolling when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves Sunday night.