Kenyon Martin enjoyed a nice view from the Nuggets’ bench of teammate Carmelo Anthony’s season-best heroics Saturday night.
Anthony scored a season-high 38 points to lead the Nuggets to a 121-101 victory over the Indiana Pacers at the Pepsi Center.
Anthony, the Western Conference player of the week, made 14-of-25 shots, including two 3-pointers, and 8-of-11 free throws. Anthony’s previous season high was 37, against Memphis on Nov. 28 and at New York on Nov. 8. He has scored at least 29 points in 13 consecutive games.
“The ball is going in for me right now,” Anthony said. “I’m just trying to get some easy baskets. (Guard) Andre (Miller) is finding me. It’s working.”
Denver (10-5), which has won 10 of its past 12 games, tied a season high by making 11 3-pointers. It was the most points allowed this season by Indiana.
Miller had a game-high 10 assists, J.R. Smith added 19 points and center Marcus Camby had 10 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and five blocked shots.
“I thought (Anthony) had 50,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “J.R. (Smith’s) making shots, and his passing has improved to the point where teams have a tough option.
“Andre’s as good as anyone I’ve ever coached at throwing the ball over the top. The mentality of our offense has opened the middle up. It’s 100 percent better than it was last year.”
Martin sat on the Nuggets’ bench for the first time since having season-ending right knee microfracture surgery Nov. 15. The 6-foot-9, 240-pounder got off crutches last Wednesday, walked with a slight limp and is rehabbing in Denver and Los Angeles.
“I’m bored, going crazy,” Martin said. “But at the same time, I can help the team with my knowledge of the game and the things I see. Stuff like that goes a long way.
“I wish I was out there (in the up-tempo offense). It’s up and down. You get to make plays. I’ll be back. We’ll get together next year.”
Anthony scored 24 points to lead the Nuggets to a 65-55 halftime lead.
Anthony scored 12 points and dished three assists in the third quarter, and Denver entered the fourth ahead 99-81. Anthony scored his final points on a layup with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter. Seven seconds later, he was taken out of the blowout for good and joined Martin on the bench.
“Carmelo gets better every time I see him,” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said. “He’s a brutal matchup for any team because he can play (shooting guard), (small forward) and he can play (power forward). He’s a great player.”
Said Anthony: “We’re playing good right now. Our confidence is good right now. We’re just rolling.”
Staff writer Marc J. Spears can be reached at 303-954-1098 or mspears@denverpost.com.
