In the brightest of spotlights superstars raise to the occasion, and that is exactly what Carmelo Anthony did in the Game 1 of the Western Conference NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz, beating them 126-113.  He not only scored a personal playoff best 42 points, but did so shooting 18-for-25, which is 72% from the floor, and he weren't all lay-ups or dunks, for he was draining jump shots all over the court.

"I tell myself, in order for us to succeed in the playoffs, it's going to come down to me," Anthony told The Denver Post. "I know I shouldn't tell myself that, but me being a leader, I got to set the tone out there."  There was no questioning that on Saturday night.  The Nuggets were only up two heading into the fourth quarter, but used Anthony's 5-for5 shooting in the last quarter and the three-point shooting of guard J.R. Smith to run away with the victory.

The Nuggets take the one game lead into tonight's game, in Denver, with tip-off at 7:30 EST.  The offensive fireworks will be on display, and we'll see if the Nuggets can keep the momentum for a 2-0 series lead heading to Utah.