Blake Helps Nuggets Defeat Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ Steve Blake is just two games into a new gig with the Denver Nuggets, so it's understandable he's still a bit star-struck with Allen Iverson. <br/><br/>Playing with Iverson,

Monday, January 15th 2007, 6:25 am

By: News On 6

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) _ Steve Blake is just two games into a new gig with the Denver Nuggets, so it's understandable he's still a bit star-struck with Allen Iverson.

Playing with Iverson, Blake says, improves his own game. And it was apparent with Blake's career-high 25-point performance in Denver's 109-93 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night.

``I'm loving it right now. He's making me a better player,'' Blake said of Iverson, who had 32 points. ``You can't ask for much more than to play with a great player like that.''

Blake was acquired by Denver on Thursday in a trade that sent Earl Boykins to Milwaukee. In his first game with the Nuggets, a 90-86 loss to the Rockets, Blake had 13 points and six assists.

``This is the way I wanted it to be. I just wanted a win,'' Blake said. ``It was fun for me. It was nice to come back and perform well.''

Iverson added nine assists for the Nuggets, who trailed at halftime but outscored the Blazers 41-17 in the third quarter.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for Denver.

In the only other NBA game on Sunday, Dallas edged Toronto 97-96.

The Blazers, coming off a victory over the Sacramento Kings 95-87 on Friday, have lost eight of their last 10.

In this one, the Blazers' starters were largely ineffective, contributing just 20 points. Center Joel Przybilla and point guard Dan Dickau combined to play 23 minutes and did not score.

``The first unit just couldn't get it going,'' Portland coach Nate McMillan said. ``Not only did they have a difficult time offensively in the third quarter _ but in giving up 41 points it looks like they didn't defend anyone.''

The Nuggets at times triple-teamed Portland forward Zach Randolph, who scored four points on 1-of-12 shooting. Randolph was averaging 23.9 points and 10.1 rebounds going into the game.

Randolph called it his worst-ever game.

``I couldn't hit a shot,'' he said. ``The ball wouldn't go in. It was one of the nights.''

The Blazers' top player was rookie Sergio Rodriguez, who scored a career-high 23 points and had 10 assists.

``We came out in the third quarter and gave up 41 points _ anytime you do that you are not going to win,'' guard Brandon Roy said.

Iverson scored eight straight points in the first quarter to put Denver up 21-13. The Nuggets led by as many as 12 points early but the Blazers closed the gap, and took a 36-35 lead on Dixon's jumper.

Rodriguez hit a pull-up jumper and a layup to give the Blazers a 51-43 lead. Portland outscored the Nuggets 37-18 in the second quarter and led 56-49 at the half.

The Nuggets opened the second half on an 18-0 run to take a 67-56 lead they would never relinquish. Iverson's bank shot at 10:19 pulled the Nuggets into a 56-56 tie. Blake capped the run with his fifth 3-pointer.

The Blazers' first points of the second half came at 6:54 on a Raef LaFrentz free throw.

In the other game Sunday, it was Dallas 97, Toronto 96.

Blake surpassed his career high of 23 set while he was a Blazer against Houston last March 5.

Said Iverson of his new teammate: ``He makes good decisions, can score and just runs the team. And when he can shoot like that, you just utilize him as much as you can.''

Carmelo Anthony, Denver's leading scorer, was still serving a 15-game suspension because of the brawl against the New York Knicks on Dec. 16. Anthony returns Jan. 22 against Memphis.

Portland guard Jarrett Jack, who was in a car accident on Friday, remained out with a concussion. Dickau made his second start in Jack's place.

Mavericks 97, Raptors 96

At Toronto _ Dirk Nowitzki scored 38 points and Josh Howard made the go-ahead layup with 0.9 seconds left for Dallas.

With Nowitzki triple-teamed, Howard made a wide-open layup to give Dallas the lead. Toronto's Anthony Parker missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Nowitzki had 11 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals for the Mavericks, winners of 17 of their last 18 games. Toronto's Chris Bosh had 24 points and 15 rebounds, but his turnover after winning a jump ball set up the Mavericks' last play with 6.5 seconds left.