DENVER NUGGETS
Recap/Rewind: The Nuggets had a perfect week, beating the Trailblazers 109-93 behind Allen Iverson's 32 and the manhandling the suddenly free-falling Cavaliers 110-99 behind Marcus Camby's 26 point, 17 rebound explosion. The Nuggets remain in a tight battle with the Timberwolves for second place in the division and the seventh and eighth playoff seeds.
Notable News: New acquisition Steve Blake channeled departed score-first point guard Earl Boykins, piling 25 points on the Trailblazers Sunday. Iverson followed up his sterling Portland effort with 25 of his own against the Cavs. He dished out nine assists in each game. Guard J.R. Smith has been mired in a shooting slump. He's shooting 34.5% from the field and only 25% from the 3-point line since returning from suspension. His season averages are 44% and 38% respectively.
Fast Forward: Carmelo Anthony, the league's leading scorer, will finally be united with new teammate Allen Iverson as Denver faces Houston Saturday night. Anthony's 15-game suspension for brawling against the Knicks kept him out of action for the last month and a half. After that the Wonder Twins will welcome Memphis to the Pepsi Center before embarking on a short road trip to face division rivals Seattle and Utah.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Recap/Rewind: The Timberwolves had a mixed week, beating the Pistons on the road in overtime on Monday then promptly deflating and getting blown out by Atlanta on Wednesday before returning the favor to Detroit by losing at home in overtime themselves on Friday.
Notable News: Center Mark Blount continues his torrid play amassing 16 points and 11 boards against Atlanta and following that up with 22 points and 15 rebounds in the loss to Detroit. Rookie Randy Foye tallied 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists in the second Detroit game. Kevin Garnett did not break the 20-point barrier this week but he got double-doubles in all three games thanks to rebounding efforts of 14, 13, and 19. He was ejected from Friday's Detroit skirmish for tangling with Detroit forward Antonio McDyess. Forward Eddie Griffin's substance-policy suspension continues and the AP is reporting that he may not be in Minnesota for much longer. Meanwhile the Minneapolis Star-Tribune is reporting that guard Marko Jaric may be shipped to Detroit for one of their veteran forwards.
Fast Forward: The 'Wolves embark on a Western road trip this week, playing at Phoenix, Utah, Portland, and Seattle before wrapping up next Saturday in L.A. against the Clippers.
PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Recap/Rewind: The Blazers made like a yo-yo this week, losing handily to Denver before pounding the Cavaliers in a rare blow-out win then watching the Suns continue their winning streak by squeaking out a hotly-contested game in Phoenix. In each of the last two games the Blazers tallied more field goals than their opponents but they ran a combined 28-68 deficit in free throw attempts for those two games. Portland and Seattle are now deadlocked in the division cellar.
Notable News: After his worst effort in recent memory - 4 points and 5 rebounds against the Nuggets - forward Zach Randolph responded by dropping 26 and 12 on the Cavaliers and 36 and 15 on the Suns. Spanish rookie Sergio Rodriguez had the best game of his career versus the Nuggets, scoring 23 and adding 10 assists. Rookie forward Lamarcus Aldridge has played 23 or more minutes in four out of his last five games, responding with three double-digit scoring efforts in that span. Rookie guard Brandon Roy dropped 19 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists on the Cavs. Point guard Jarrett Jack returned from a concussion Friday against Phoenix, notching 10 points and 5 assists in the loss.
Fast Forward: The Blazers host Milwaukee and Minnesota at home this week before heading out on a three-game road trip, beginning in Houston next Friday.