DENVER DESTROYS DALLAS

Carmelo Anthony scored 19 points in his return from an ankle injury and the Denver Nuggets had their biggest win of the season, routing the Dallas Mavericks 127-91 on Tuesday night. Anthony, the NBA's second-leading scorer, returned after missing eight consecutive games with a left ankle sprain. However, the Nuggets were without Kenyon Martin, who missed the game because of tendinitis in his left knee. The 36-point victory margin against a Dallas team Denver eliminated in last season's semifinal round of the playoffs surpassed the Nuggets' previous high of 28 points, which they achieved twice in wins against Toronto and New Jersey in November. Nene led Denver with 21 points, Chauncey Billups added 16 and Chris Andersen had 14 points to go with 10 rebounds. The Nuggets won at home for the 23rd time in 27 games. Dallas, losing to Denver for the sixth time in the last seven meetings, was led by Dirk Nowitzki, who had 17 points on 5 of 17 shooting from the floor. Jason Terry had 16 points and Josh Howard 14 for Dallas. Up by 26 at the half, the Nuggets pulled ahead 78-46, connecting on three 3s in a row, two by Arron Afflalo and the third by Anthony. The Mavericks triedto get back in the game with a 14-5 run but Denver answered with a 7-0 burst touched off by a pair of baskets by Anthony, pulling in front 90-60 with 3:13 remaining in the third quarter and taking a 103-70 lead into the final period. At halftime, the Nuggets led 65-39.