The Nuggets waited until their 43rd game to unleash their 1-2 punch in full force. Expect more Denver haymakers if Carmelo Anthony and Kenyon Martin can build off what they did to Toronto in their team’s 107-101 victory Monday night at the Pepsi Center.
On a night when many of their teammates looked sluggish, Anthony and Martin made one of their best cases for a place among the NBA’s top forward duos, something Martin’s health rarely has let them do this season before their current six-game winning streak. The Nuggets’ season-best run has lifted them to 24-19, their highest climb above .500.
Anthony scored 37 points with career-best efficiency – his .813 (13-for-16) field-goal percentage took him to a new plateau in a season in which he reaches one almost every night. Meanwhile, Martin had 25 points and 12 rebounds for his third double-double in five games.
“We’re capable of beating anybody any night,” forward Eduardo said of what the Nuggets can do when Anthony and Martin are rolling. “That’s just a given.”
Point guard Andre Miller called the duo “competitive players, scorers, rebounders. They’re a big part of why we’re playing the way we’re playing.”
Denver coach George Karl happily reached his goal of 10 wins in January with four games to spare. He said his team’s ability to mostly control the Raptors’ best offensive players, Chris Bosh and Jalen Rose, made the difference, along with the superlative play of his top two stars.
“Players just don’t do that in this league anymore, and he does,” Karl said of Anthony’s regularly strong recent shooting nights. “I think it just shows that if he makes his jump shot, he’s pretty difficult, if not impossible, to cover. And the thing you’ve got to be excited about in the last two weeks is Kenyon’s improvement and confidence and consistency. His confidence is just growing right in front of us.”
The duo scored 19 of their team’s 30 points in the final quarter as the Nuggets built a 15-point lead and held on while Toronto (14-28) came within four late. Anthony declined to talk because of what he called a sore throat, but Martin said the game reminded him of what he envisioned when he arrived in Denver in 2004.
“But I haven’t held up my end,” he said. “I think I’m starting to. There’s good things to come.”
Asked if he felt all the way back from his offseason left knee surgery, Martin added: “I’m getting there, man. I’m getting there. I’m still going to tell you all I’m not.”
As the Nuggets have heated up, two of their three centerpieces have fallen into place. The third hopes to join the fun by week’s end. Center Marcus Camby, who has sat out 14 games with a broken right pinkie, said he expects to play Friday or Saturday against the L.A. Clippers.
“I’m trying to pick up where I left off at,” Camby said. “No, it’s not going to happen overnight. I’m going to be a little rusty. I’ve been off a month. But I can bring it on the defensive end and let my offense come from there.”
Staff writer Adam Thompson can be reached at 303-820-5447 or athompson@denverpost.com.
