MELO RELIEVED

Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony returned Friday after missing a game after his fiancee, La La Vazquez, gave birth Wednesday to Kiyan, a boy named after the middle name of Anthony and his late father.

"Just good to finally see him come out and look like me," said Anthony, glad to have the stress behind him.

Anthony said watching the birth was fine after "a lot of people were saying I wasn't going to be able to take it."

DUNLAP IN DEMAND

If assistant Mike Dunlap takes a college job, coach George Karl would prefer he finish Denver's season.

"We need him," Karl said.

The Albuquerque Tribune reported New Mexico is targeting Dunlap. He has spoken to CU officials.

Dunlap, through a team spokesman, said he wants to focus on the Nuggets. Karl believes Dunlap's "hope and heart is to stay."

HE SAID IT

"I'm happy for him. It's time for him to start a new chapter."

Detroit's Chauncey Billups, who believes his former Colorado coach, Ricardo Patton, will coach again.