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Nuggets Clinch Title

The Denver Nuggets were in a good mood after securing their first division title in 18 years. The Nuggets were lead by Carmelo Anthony with 28 points, and Ruben Patterson right behind him with 21 brining the Nuggets to a 110-98 win over the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday night. The Nuggets entered the game needing one win or a Utah loss to clinch the Northwest Division crown. The Jazz held off the Houston Rockets, but the Nuggets pulled away from Portland in the third quarter.

Patterson was dealt to Denver as part of a four-team midseason trade after growing unhappy with his playing time and Portland`s mounting losses. "I`m so happy right now," Patterson said. "We clinched our division and we`re getting ready for the playoffs. I love playing with these guys."

Marcus Camby added 21 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks for the Nuggets, whose last division title was in 1987-88 when they played in the Midwest Division. Voshon Lenard and Sebastian Telfair each had 21 points for the Blazers, who tied a season-high with 24 turnovers.

Drafting Anthony with the third overall pick in the 2003 draft helped put Denver back on a winning path. Adding veteran coach George Karl at midseason last year made an immediate difference. "I don`t think anybody thought we`d be where we are now, after three years," said Anthony, whose 26.8 points leads the team. "This is one of the stages we`ve been trying to get to. Now that we`re here, we want to move forward and win a playoff series."