Nuggets' Melo top forward so far in All-Star votes

Kenyon Martin and Carmelo Anthony wrangle Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki this month. Anthony leads Western Conference forwards in votes for the NBA All-Star Game. Nowtizki is second. (Hyoung Chang/ The Denver Post)

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony leads all Western Conference forwards in all-star voting, the NBA said today after its third "return" of votes.

Anthony, at 30.0 points per game this season, is second in the league in scoring behind Kobe Bryant (30.4). And Anthony trails only the Lakers guard in Western Conference voting (1,410,356 to 1,606,032).

Nuggets center Nene is third in the voting for the starting center. And point guard Chauncey Billups is seventh in the voting for the guards.

The NBA All-Star Game is Feb. 14 in Dallas.

The Nuggets (20-12) next play at Utah (18-13) on Saturday. The Jazz is 1 1/2 games behind the Nuggets in the Northwest Division. Both Anthony (knee) and Billups (groin) didn't practice today, but while Anthony is probable for Saturday, Billups is questionable — he hasn't practiced once all week.