MIAMI — Asked how the Nuggets expect to bounce back from their last game, a 44-point pounding at New Jersey, forward Carmelo Anthony had a simple response.
“What game?” he said, smiling about Saturday’s game that at the time was no laughing matter.
Said guard Chauncey Billups: “I forgot all about that game. I didn’t even know we played Saturday. As a matter of fact, we didn’t play Saturday.”
Amnesia might be the best way for the Nuggets to move on from their worst loss this season, but as they practiced Monday at American Airlines Arena, they mixed forgetting with equal parts humor and trust.
“I think this team has shown this year that they are professional,” coach George Karl said. “They are respectful to the game, knowing that when you get whipped you go home and you be humble and you come out the next night and show the world you’re OK.”
Added forward Kenyon Martin: “Every team goes through it, when you can’t make a shot and nothing is going right. But you come back and focus in. I’m not worried about it, it’s just one game. We’ve been playing great of late. We’ve still got a chance for it to be a great road trip.”
The Nuggets, who have five games left on this trip, are 12-4 in games after a loss this season.
“You’re going to have about three of those games, most times,” Billups said. “Not those (44-point) games, but you’re going to have a couple of 30-pointers, where you just can’t do nothing right and they can’t do nothing wrong.
“That’s a game that you don’t get frustrated about. You don’t look at the tape, you don’t do nothing. You just (say), ‘All right, we took our medicine; let’s get it out of the way. Who’s our next opponent?’ ”
That opponent is the surprisingly competitive Miami Heat, which would be in the playoffs if they started today.
The Nuggets defeated Miami 108-97 in Denver on Jan. 7. But the Heat has been solid at home, going 17-8 this season. The Heat has won five of its last seven at American Airlines Arena, but good teams have been able to go in and have success. Miami’s two losses during that span are to Boston and Dallas.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets have been solid, if not spectacular, on the road, posting a 14-11 mark. They are 2-1 on the current eight-game trip but have been good in Miami. The Nuggets have a three-game winning streak in Miami and haven’t lost in South Florida to the Heat since 2004.
Tonight’s game also is crucial in helping the Nuggets go toward the all-star break on a high note.
“It’s big for us,” Billups said. “All-star is a time where you can steal games. Three or four games before and three or four games after the break. You can steal them if you’re focused. Most young teams lose their focus around this time, getting excited for all-star, coming back not really all that focused yet.”
Anthony said there is no chance the Nuggets will come out sluggish against the Heat.
“We relaxed the other day,” he said. “We’ve been pretty good so far, other than that game the other night. (Tonight) we want to come out and redeem ourselves, just for us. Just for our confidence, just for our momentum going into the break.”
Chris Dempsey: 303-954-1279 or cdempsey@denverpost.com
Denver at Miami
5:30 p.m. tonight, ALT, KTNI 105.1 FM
Spotlight on Mario Chalmers: The former Kansas guard has found a permanent spot in the starting lineup for the young Miami Heatand he’s thriving. Chalmers ranks 11th among NBA rookies in scoring (10.1 points per game) and third among rookies in assists (4.8 per game). He has started every game this season.
Nuggets: All-star guard Chauncey Billups said his sprained right ankle, which caused him to miss the first game of this road trip, is “just fine, man.” . . . Coach George Karl is wary about more than just Dwyane Wade in tonight’s game against the Heat. “What I see is (Mario) Chalmers and Michael Beasley helping a great player (Wade) feel more confident every night in playing and winning. I think Shawn Marion gives them another veteran guy that likes to win and knows how to win. They are not giving you anything. You’re going to have to beat them.”
Heat: Miami was off Monday, having an optional practice after playing back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday. . . . Wade and Cleveland’s LeBron James are the only players in the top 10 in the NBA in points, assists and steals per game. Wade is averaging 28.3 points, 7.1 assists and 2.1 steals. . . . Miami has been linked to a slew of trade rumors, including deals for Phoenix’s Amar’e Stoudemire, New Orleans’ Tyson Chandler and Sacramento’s Brad Miller. Chris Dempsey, The Denver Post
