Brandon Roy, Steve Blake lead Portland Trail Blazers past Denver Nuggets 107-96

Roy, Blake lead Trail Blazers past Nuggets

PORTLAND, Ore. — Brandon Roy had 41 points while wearing a thin brace to protect his sore left shoulder and Steve Blake scored 17 to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 107-96 win over the Denver Nuggets on Friday night.

Roy, who missed Wednesday’s win at San Antonio, had 25 points in the first half and made a career-high 16 field goals for Portland, which has won four straight and six of seven despite a spate of injuries. Blake hit five 3-pointers, including three in the final 4:05 as the Blazers pulled away.

Andre Miller had 14 points and eight rebounds and LaMarcus Aldridge added 10 points and 13 rebounds for Portland.

Carmelo Anthony had 32 points and nine rebounds, reserve J.R. Smith scored 20 and Kenyon Martin had 12 points and 14 rebounds for the Northwest Division-leading Nuggets, who have dropped four straight road games.

Chauncey Billups, who missed three games with a groin injury, returned to Denver’s starting lineup. He had 10 points and five assists, but sat out the second half.

The Nuggets led 76-74 after three quarters but couldn’t stop Roy and Blake in the fourth. Roy hit a 3-pointer from the corner, LaMarcus Aldridge powered in a layup and Roy added another 3 to put Portland up 93-85 with 6:01 remaining. Blake’s three 3s in the final minutes helped the Trail Blazers extend the lead.

Anthony helped Denver get off to a quick start. His second-quarter dunk gave the Nuggets a 35-26 lead but Portland closed to 51-49 at halftime.

NOTES: Denver lost for the first time this season when carrying a lead into the final period. The Nuggets are 16-1 when leading after the third. … The Nuggets beat Portland 97-94 at the Rose Garden on Oct. 29. … The Blazers are 14-2 when playing on Christmas.