Nugs can't slow Suns

Grunt, lunge, sigh, repeat.

Such was Denver on defense Wednesday night, a step slow defending the 3-ball, over and over and over. In the visiting Suns' 109-97 victory, Denver was diced by penetrating dribblers and decimated by Phoenix's pick-and-roll. When a fellow named Goran Dragic drained a 3-pointer with 8:32 remaining in the fourth, the Suns became 9-for-16 from 3-point range (56.3 percent) — and the Nuggets trailed by 20.

"Our game plan started off where we were switching on everything (defensively), and I think we should have stuck with our same principles that we've been doing — staying with our man and rotating how we're supposed to rotate," said Denver's Joey Graham, who started at small forward.

"But it's tough to play against a team that can shoot that well. "No matter how hard you rotate or close out on shots, if they're hitting shots, it's tough to win."

The loss for Denver (33-16) was just its fourth at the Pepsi Center this season, but one must give credit to Phoenix (30-21), because its high-energy offense laughed in the face of altitude.

What's curious is that only the Celtics and Lakers hold opponents to a lower 3-point field-goal percentage than the Nuggets this season (33.3 percent).

But Denver seldom plays against Steve Nash, who with the retirement of Kurt Warner is now the oldest star quarterback in Phoenix. The 35-year-old all-star guard tallied 10 assists — all by the end of the third quarter, when the suns led by 14.

Denver all-star Carmelo Anthony is running out of suits. The sharp-dressed forward missed his sixth straight game with lingering swelling and soreness in his sprained left ankle. Melo, who entered the night as the NBA's top scorer (29.7 points), seemed encouraged Tuesday that he could play, but the Nuggets are being cautious with their star.

"When we saw the injury, we thought it was tough, but Melo is so good with injuries, we probably got optimistically ahead of the truth," coach George Karl said of Anthony, who remains questionable Friday against the Lakers.

Wednesday was an exciting day for Chauncey Billups, who was named the all-star replacement for the injured Chris Paul, but Billups couldn't get into rhythm for the second straight game. Billups (11 points) shot 5-for-14 against the Suns, after shooting 6-for-25 in Monday's win against the Kings.

"Sometimes he takes a little too much responsibility for Melo not being in the lineup — and because of that, he's probably missed a few shots that maybe we should have been a little patient with," Karl said. "In the same sense, some of the games we've won is because he's made that shot."

Without Anthony, the Nuggets struggled at creating a "hot player" on offense, as Karl likes to say. Nene led Denver with 15 points — the lowest total for the team this season.

"We're not a good enough team to play cool, and without Melo, we're definitely not a good enough team to play cool," Karl said. "We have a great ability to turn it on and still win it. Tonight, that gig didn't work."

Nuggets Recap

What you might have missed

Rocky, the Nuggets' mascot, got the fans at the Pepsi Center to do the wave — during an Arron Afflalo free throw. Sure enough, the wave reached the folks behind the basket Afflalo was shooting at just as he released the ball. Fortunately for the Nuggets, Afflalo made the shot.

Final thought

A disheartening defensive effort by Denver, which had better shape up for tough upcoming opponents.

Up next

Friday at the Los Angeles Lakers, 8:30 p.m.