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Nuggets hope to have Karl back vs. Wizards

Tue 16th, March 2010

(Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets hope to have head coach George Karl back on the bench tonight when the Western Conference power kicks off a three-game homestand against the woeful Washington Wizards.

Karl announced last Friday that he would miss the team's road trip to adjust to a feeding tube that was placed into his stomach as part of his treatment for neck and throat cancer. The veteran mentor planned to return tonight.

"Hopefully I'll be ready to rejoin them when they come home," said Karl when he announced his absence.

The Nuggets have certainly persevered under lead assistant Adrian Dantley, finishing 3-1 on their recent trip but faltering in the finale, a tough 125-123 loss in Houston last night. Aaron Brooks scored 31 points and drained the game-winning jumper with 2.9 seconds left in that one to lift the Rockets.

Carmelo Anthony led all scorers with 45 points along with 10 rebounds for the Nuggets, who lost for the first time in seven games. Chauncey Billups and J.R. Smith each netted 17 as the Nuggets led for most of the contest, but couldn't hold on late.

Nene aided Denver with 15 points and 10 boards, while Johan Petro scored 11 to go with 10 rebounds in defeat.

"We just didn't execute. The bottom line was that we didn't get back on transition defense," said Dantley. "You have to give Houston a lot of credit. They hit some big shots. We wanted the game but they didn't quit and it big shots at the end."

The Wizards, meanwhile, continue to play out the string, dropping the opener of a four-game road trip in Utah on Monday. Carlos Boozer led the way with 23 points and nine rebounds in that one, as the Jazz sent the reeling Wizards to their eighth consecutive defeat, 112-89.

Andray Blatche had 24 points for the Wizards, who haven't won since February 28 at New Jersey. Mike Miller recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds for Washington, which shot just 36.9 percent from the field.

"Their energy level was pretty good," Miller said. "Obviously just a Jerry Sloan coached team. They're going to execute and play hard. And tonight we didn't match their intensity. That's why they have 43 wins and we're opposite."

Washington has lost in three straight and six of its past seven trips to the Rockies but did beat the Nuggets in the nation's capital, 107-97, last month.