Clippers Vs. Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony's 26 Points, Clippers Foul Issues Lead To 109-104 Denver Victory

Carmelo Anthony had a tough time shooting tonight, but he still managed to score 26 points in the Denver Nuggets' 109-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Nuggets and the Clippers battled back and forth for the entire game, experiencing 13 lead changes. In the end, the Denver Nuggets picked up their sixth straight win and eighth straight at home.

The Nuggets were aided in large part by the Clippers inability to stop piling up the personal fouls, 37 in the game. The Nuggets went 45-of-59 from the free throw line. Carmelo Anthony was the best, making 13-of-18, though Chauncey Billups was better percentage-wise, making nine of 10.

Billups added 17 points, five rebounds, five assists and a steal. J.R. Smith turned things on in the second half and finished with 21 points and four rebounds. Nene had 11 points and seven rebounds before he fouled out in the fourth quarter.

Clippers shooting guard Eric Gordon led the team with 24 points, while power forward Blake Griffin added 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks. He did, though have five turnovers and five fouls.

Nuggets center Chris Andersen left the game in the fourth quarter after coming down hard on his pelvic bone. He went to the locker room and was diagnosed with a lower back contusion. He did not return to the game.

The Denver Nuggets to 12-6 overall, 9-1 at home. They will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, Dec. 5 at 6:00 p.m MT.

Clippers Vs. Nuggets: Denver Leads Los Angeles, 49-48, At Halftime

The Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers have had a see-saw first half, but the Denver Nuggers have emerged on top at halftime, 49-48. The Nuggets are staying in this contest because the Clippers continue to pile up the personal fouls, 20 in the first half (the Nuggets have only 10). As a result the Nuggets have shot 24-of-30 from the line.

However, this hasn’t been the prettiest game for the Nuggets. They have committed nine turnovers and have allowed 36 points in the paint. On the bright side of things, Chris Andersen has three blocks, Carmelo Anthony and Shelden Williams two each and Arron Afflalo one.

Carmelo Anthony had 13 points (2-of-10 from the field, 8-of-10 at the free throw line) with two rebounds and two assists. Shelden Williams and Nene share the lead in rebounds with four each. Chauncey Billups has added eight points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. J.R. Smith had put up seven points in seven minutes on the court.

As a team, the Nuggets are shooting only 31.3 percent from the field, but 45.5 percent fro beyond the arc.

The Clippers’ super-rookie Blake Griffin leads the team with 11 points and six rebounds, while Chris Kaman added eight points and six rebounds. The team has attempted seven three-pointers but missed on all of them.

Clippers Vs. Nuggets: Roll Camera, Blake Griffin Is In Town

There isn't an official report out that the YouTube servers are near capacity, but a quick search on Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, tonight's Denver Nuggets opponent, and you can see why that might be in question.

All eyes should focus on Griffin every time he touches the ball.  He is that special of a player. A highlight reel waiting to happen. Even though his team is 4-15, Griffin makes the Clippers a must watch event and should make the Pepsi Center crowd gasp at least once tonight.

Griffin is supported by leading scorer Eric Gordon, a third year guard out of Indiana, Baron Davis and big man Chris Kaman, who looks to be healthy after suffering an ankle injury and missing the Clippers' last game.

A key for the Nuggets tonight is the play of guard J.R. Smith, who has been en fuego over the last two games, pouring in a combined 50 points while coming off the bench. If Smith can remain hot, the Nuggets are a very tough team to beat.

The Nuggets, 11-6, seem to be relatively healthy now that Carmelo Anthony has recovered from flulike symptoms, the Birdman, Chris Andersen is back from a wounded knee, and Chauncey Billups is fully recovered from a gnarly on-court fall a week ago. The only injury to report in Kenyon Martin, who looks to be improving from an injured knee.

On the injuries, Nate Timmons of Denver Stiffs commented

It was nice deleting Chris Andersen's and Chauncey Billups' names from the injury report I add to my previews. Can't wait to get rid of Kenyon Martin's name as well. The Clippers welcomed Baron Davis back to the lineup Wednesday. Davis has missed 14 games this season and did not play in the first meeting against the Nuggets. Against the Spurs he played 24 minutes and handed out 10 assists, including a sweet alley-oop to Griffin.

Tip tonight is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Pepsi Center. You can also catch the game on Altitude from the comfort of your couch or local watering hole.

An now for your obligatory Blake Griffin highlight