AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCarmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers prepares to face his former team the Denver Nuggets before the first quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Carmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers takes the court to face his former team the Denver Nuggets before the first quarter on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Carmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers gives love to retired NBA star Reggie Miller before facing his former team the Denver Nuggets ahead of the first quarter on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDerik Weston sits with his son, Khalil Weston (left) and nephew Mason Staley (right) as he wears a vintage Carmelo Anthony Denver Nuggets jersey before the former superstar makes a return trip to the Pepsi Center as a Portland Trail Blazer before the first quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostHassan Whiteside (21) of the Portland Trail Blazers fouls Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCarmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers backs down Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets during the second quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets forces Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers to pass to Hassan Whiteside (21) during the first quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostHead coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets coaches up Michael Porter Jr. (1) against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers drives on Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDamian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers defends Gary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostKent Bazemore (24) of the Portland Trail Blazers pushes the ball up court as Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets defends during the third quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostMichael Malone of the Denver Nuggets high gives Jerami Grant (9) and Monte Morris (11) as they take a timeout against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCarmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers prepares to face his former team the Denver Nuggets before the first quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostGary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets fights for a loose ball with Skal Labissiere (17) of the Portland Trail Blazers and Kent Bazemore (24) during the second quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Gary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets fights for a loose ball with Skal Labissiere (17) of the Portland Trail Blazers and Kent Bazemore (24) during the second quarter on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets defends Kent Bazemore (24) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostWill Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets drives on Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDamian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers holds his form after hitting a three over Gary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets during the third quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostJerami Grant (9) of the Denver Nuggets celebrates hitting a three pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostNikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets argues a possession call as he and teammates play the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets reacts to being called for fouling Hassan Whiteside (21) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets reacts to a possession call in favor of the Portland Trail Blazers during the third quarter on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostTorrey Craig (3) of the Denver Nuggets talks to Michael Porter Jr. (1) as Porter Jr. shows signs of frustrations after being pulled from the game against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Gary Harris (14) of the Denver Nuggets is defended tightly by CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers and Hassan Whiteside (21) during the third quarter on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets grabs a rebound over Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers and Kent Bazemore (24) during the third quarter on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Jamal Murray (27) of the Denver Nuggets passes as CJ McCollum (3) of the Portland Trail Blazers defends during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 12: Monte Morris (11) of the Denver Nuggets flexes after finishing strong over Anfernee Simons (1) of the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, December 12, 2019. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostCarmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers prepares to face his former team the Denver Nuggets before the first quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver PostDenver Nuggets fans give a warm farewell to Carmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers after the fourth quarter of Denver's 114-99 win on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
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Carmelo Anthony (00) of the Portland Trail Blazers prepares to face his former team the Denver Nuggets before the first quarter on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.
ExpandBy AAron Ontiveroz | aontiveroz@denverpost.com | The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your player ready...
The Denver Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers 114-99 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019.



























