Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony sat the entire fourth quarter. There was no injury. No frown. Just his trademark smile and some much-needed rest during a 106-86 blowout victory over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night at the Pepsi Center.
“I’ve been waiting for something like this,” said Anthony, who scored 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting in 33 minutes. “I know we’re tired. It’s good to have (reserves) come in and play almost the whole fourth quarter. I need all the rest I can get. There are 82 games.”
The Nuggets (16-17) are 2-3 on their six-game homestand with the finale Friday against Dallas. The Nuggets, who shot 52.1 percent, made 7-of-15 3-pointers and 23-of-27 free throws. Denver also had 22 fast-break points and forced 20 turnovers.
“Keeping the pace intense and aggressive – we need more of those games,” Nuggets coach George Karl said.
The Pacers (16-13) were without forward Jermaine O’Neal (flu) and guard Jamaal Tinsley (torn right biceps). But the most-talked about player who didn’t suit up is forward Ron Artest, who has been placed on the inactive list for 11 straight games after asking for a trade.
The Pacers were disappointed by the former all-star’s trade request. The team supported him after he was suspended 73 games last season for his involvement in a fight at Detroit. Indiana plans to proceed with a trade, and Denver, Golden State and Minnesota are among the rumored suitors.
“The Artest situation will resolve itself,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “The only thing I’ll say is I’m disappointed the way it went down because I was one of his biggest supporters.”
The Nuggets, who are without center Marcus Camby (finger) indefinitely and forward-center Nene (knee) for possibly the season, didn’t feel sorry for Indiana.
“They have a lot of injuries. They’re a good team. We just caught them at the right time of the season,” Denver guard Earl Watson said.
The Nuggets held a 58-48 lead at halftime after shooting 56.4 percent. Anthony had 15 first-half points and combined with forward Kenyon Martin (16 points, season-high five blocks) for 14 points in the third quarter.
The Nuggets opened the fourth quarter with a 14-6 run to take a comfortable 93-72 lead after two free throws by Earl Boykins with 7:06 remaining. The reserve guard scored seven of his 23 points during that stretch. Greg Buckner made a 3-pointer with 3:43 remaining to give Denver a 98-78 lead.
By then, several Nuggets and their fans seemed more interested in the Texas-USC Rose Bowl score.
“I need Texas to go on and pull this out,” said Martin, who went to high school in Dallas, before Texas won.
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-820-5449 or mspears@denverpost.com.
