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Anthony, Iverson team up as Nuggets rout Grizzlies
SUPERSTARS:
Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson made their much-anticipated debut as teammates on Monday, leading Denver to a 115-98 home victory over Memphis
AP
, DENVER, COLORADO
Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007, Page 19
Together last, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson began their quest on Monday to prove two NBA superstars can coexist. So far, so very, very good.
Anthony 28 points in his return from a 15-game suspension for fighting and Iverson added 23 in the Denver Nuggets' 115-98 rout of the Memphis Grizzlies.
After receiving a resounding ovation during introductions, Anthony took the microphone and thanked fans, teammates and Nuggets owner Stan Kroenke for supporting him during his forced 36-day layoff.
"It's like a new beginning for us," Anthony said. "And we're going to give y'all something to cheer for."
The Nuggets delivered, jumping out to a 20-point first-quarter lead, never trailing and turning it on in the fourth quarter with a series of alley-oop jams from Iverson to Anthony that capped the duo's debut.
Marcus Camby had 17 points and 17 boards and J.R. Smith scored 19 points for the energized Nuggets.
Memphis got 23 points from Pau Gasol.
Heat 101, Knicks 83
At Miami, playing without their two NBA All-Stars, Miami scored a franchise-record 27 consecutive points in beating New York.
Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal watched from the bench as Miami raced to a 29-3 lead after eight-and-a-half minutes.
The Knicks missed 10 consecutive shots as their 3-2 lead became a 26-point deficit.
The Heat started 13-for-19 and outscored New York 14-0 in the paint at the outset.
Wade shortly before the game to rest the left ankle he sprained on Sunday in a loss to Dallas, and O'Neal missed his 35th consecutive game as he nears a return from knee surgery.
Jason Williams scored 20 points, Jason Kapono fueled the Heat's early run and scored 22, Udonis Haslem added 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Gary Payton had 13 assists, his highest total since joining the Heat in 2005.
Spurs 93, Celtics 89
At Boston, Tim Duncan remained unbeaten against Boston, finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds to lead San Antonio.
Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker each scored 15 points for the Spurs, who have won 18 straight against the Celtics and nine in a row in Boston.
The Celtics last beat the Spurs in January 1997, the season before Duncan entered the NBA.
In other games it was:
* Pacers 98, Bulls 91
* Magic 90, Cavaliers 79
* Raptors 105, Bobcats 84
* Jazz 106, Timberwolves 91
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