(Best E Casino) - The Denver Nuggets (25-16) may have an impressive roster on paper, but that is not going to win them the Northwest Division title. They are just one-half game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers and 1 1/2 games in front of the Utah Jazz.

Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson were selected by the fans as starters on the 2008 Western Conference All-Star Team. Anthony, who is averaging 25.0 points and 7.0 rebounds in 40 games this season, is currently sidelined with a sprained left ankle. Iverson will make his ninth consecutive All-Star appearance starting at guard, while Anthony will make his first career All- Star start .

Iverson leads the Nuggets in scoring (27.0 ppg) and assists (6.9 apg), while center Marcus Camby, who is averaging 9.5 points per contest, is averaging a team-best 14.5 rebounds per game.

The 32-year-old Iverson is shooting 45.6 percent from the field, including 33.3 percent from beyond the arc. The Georgetown product has collected seven double-doubles and has scored in double-digits in all 41 of Denver's games this season. Iverson has scored over 20 points in 11 straight contests, and is averaging 29.0 points and 6.2 assists during that span.

The slumping New Jersey Nets play the fifth of a six-game road trip, as they visit the Nuggets on Friday at the Pepsi Center. It is the first of two contests between the clubs this season. New Jersey is scheduled to host the Nuggets on March 21st at the Izod Center.

The teams split a pair of contests last season. New Jersey has won two straight and four of its last five at Denver.

Denver concludes a two-game homestand against the Nets. Camby finished with 13 points and 21 rebounds as the Nuggets defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 107-100, on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.

Iverson scored 29 points and Linas Kleiza netted 23 for the Nuggets, who were without Anthony. The Syracuse product missed his first game of the season with a sprained left ankle. Anthony left Monday's loss to the Lakers in the second quarter after coming down on Kobe Bryant's foot.

Kenyon Martin had 20 points and 10 boards in the win over the Lakers for Denver, which has won three of its last four games overall.

The Nuggets are 18-5 at home this season. After Friday's contest, they will embark on a three-game road trip to Dallas, New Orleans and Memphis.

Denver has scored over 100 points in eight of its last 10 contests. The Nuggets are 24-4 when they reach the century mark.