Nuggets don’t need Anthony to win

Nene scored 19 points and had 11 rebounds, Chauncey Billups added 19 points and 10 assists, and the Denver Nuggets overcame the absence of Carmelo Anthony to beat the Portland Trail Blazers, 97-89, on Monday night.

Five players scored in double figures for the Nuggets, who ended a three-game losing streak.

LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and Travis Outlaw had 15 for the Trail Blazers.

Brandon Roy, who scored 52 points against Phoenix on Thursday, was held to eight.

Anthony sat out with what the Nuggets called a right elbow contusion, which has bothered him since training camp. He will also miss today’s game in Portland and Friday’s home game against Philadelphia.

“Right now is the best timing,” Anthony said. “Get it over with, get the rest and depend on my teammates to go out there and have somebody step up.”

The Nuggets led 85-83 halfway through the fourth when they took control. Linas Kleiza, who finished with 17 points, made a three-point shot and J.R. Smith’s two jumpers extended the lead to 92-85 with 4:18 left.

The Trail Blazers cut it to 93-89 with 1:20 to play, but Kleiza’s dunk with 48 seconds left sealed the victory. Smith, who started in place of Anthony, finished with 15 points.

The Nuggets are 2-1 without Anthony this season.