Nene returns in Denver win

Carmelo Anthony scored 32 points and sparked the decisive run in the third quarter of the Denver Nuggets’ 118-105 win over the sliding Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night at Denver.

The Nuggets’ grand night was capped when forward Nene entered the game with 1:17 left, marking his return to the court 2 1/2 months after surgery to remove a malignant testicular tumor and just more than a month after undergoing chemotherapy.

He was given a rousing standing ovation as teammate Kenyon Martin embraced him in a bear hug. Nene hoped to play 5 minutes, but those plans were scrapped when the Nuggets fell behind early.

“It’s not about how he plays,” coach George Karl said an hour before tip-off. “We’re just happy he’s back and we’re going to celebrate his health, we’re going to celebrate his coming off of major cancer surgery and we’re just going to celebrate. This has nothing to do with basketball. We’re just happy he’s with us.”

Pistons 85, Heat 69: At Auburn Hills, Mich., rookie Arron Afflalo had career highs of 15 points and seven rebounds as Detroit clinched the Central Division title with a victory over Miami.

Warriors 111, Trail Blazers 95: At Oakland, Calif., Stephen Jackson scored 14 of his 24 points in the third quarter and Golden State bolstered its playoff position against short-handed Portland.

Around the league

The Seattle SuperSonics said forward Chris Wilcox will miss the remainder of the season with a dislocated finger on his right hand. … Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will miss the next four games because of a groin injury, the team said. … The Raptors added Linton Johnson to their roster, signing the former San Antonio Spurs forward to a 10-day contract. To make room, Toronto waived guard Darrick Martin. … Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo watched practice from a stationary bike as he nursed a sore right hamstring.