Carmelo Anthony and the Denver Nuggets shrugged off trade speculation and blasted the Phoenix Suns in a 132-98 rout on Tuesday.

Anthony, playing amid speculation he will soon be traded to the New Jersey Nets, rebounded from a poor performance last time out with 28 points and 10 rebounds.

Anthony had endured boos from his home crowd on Sunday when he made just 3-of-11 shots and finished with eight points.

According to some reports, Anthony's wife is influencing him to force a trade from Denver - something he tried to dispel following his effort against the Suns.

"You can write this in bold ... (my wife) has nothing to do with me staying here or me leaving," Anthony said. "Please, keep her out of it. Thank you."

Talk that Denver's all-star forward would prefer to leave the team and play on the East Coast began when Anthony declined to sign an extension with the Nuggets during the off-season. Anthony will be a free agent following this season.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 01/13/2011 page24)