NEW ORLEANS — Carmelo Anthony averages 28.5 point per game, a hefty amount, but there are those nights when the point total itself doesn’t do the performance justice.
Such was the case in Friday’s 102-95 win at New Orleans — Melo scored 32 points, right around his average, but 12 points came in the fourth quarter, which Denver entered down two points.
It was a thrilling performance — he made five of his seven shot attempts in the final quarter, including someone ice-water-in-vein jumpers.
The Nuggets are now 44-21, heading into Saturday’s game at Memphis.
The Hornets, stung by injuries, had only eight active players on Friday, conspicuously without Chris Paul, the dynamic point guard out after left knee surgery. David West led the home team with 30 points.
Perhaps the biggest X-factor of the night was Johan Petro, whose presence on an NBA court caused a fan in Section 113 to ask: “Where did this guy Pee-tro come from? I’ve never heard of him.”
Indeed, Petro has been buried on the bench for much of the season, but with Kenyon Martin out due to his left knee injury, Petro logged 24 big minutes, notching 10 points with 10 rebounds.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
