DENVER, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Carmelo Anthony, playing for the first time in almost a month, scored 19 points Friday and Denver coasted in the second half to a 110-99 victory over Charlotte.
Anthony suffered a fracture in his right hand during a Jan. 5 game against Indiana. The fracture has not yet completely healed, but he was cleared to play by team physicians.
He was averaging a team-best 21.1 points per game before missing 10 contests. He played 30 minutes against the Bobcats, hitting 5-of-12 shots from the field and 9-of-11 from the foul line.
Nene led Denver with 22 points and Linas Kleiza had 21 for the Nuggets, who increased their lead over Portland at the top of the Northwest Division to two games.
Raja Bell scored 27 to pace Charlotte.
Denver opened a 15-point lead at halftime and the closest Charlotte could come in the second half was the final score.
