The Nuggets and Karl have regained some traction, winning three of four games after surviving a brutal scheduling stretch during which they dropped four of six against Western Conference contenders Houston, Phoenix, New Orleans and Portland.

Karl got win No. 900 Wednesday night against the Toronto Raptors. It was several hundred more wins than he ever expected when he was hired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 1984.

"I never thought I'd get this far," Karl said. "I thought I'd coach a few years in pro ball and wear out my welcome and go coach in college and wear out my welcome and go coach in high school and wear out my welcome and end up in junior college or junior high somewhere."

Karl, 57, has found a comfort zone in Denver and seems to have a roster ready to take him deep into the playoffs. The Nuggets not only lead their division, they rarely show signs of a letdown and continue to be consistent on a nightly basis.

A big test of their professionalism will come against the Thunder, which has won three games this season. After reaching another career milestone, Karl believes his team is ready to become one of the West's elite.

"For us to be as good as we can be, team's got to stay No. 1 ahead of the individual. I think that's the truth of any championship team or any team that wants to fight for a championship."

NUGGETS 114, RAPTORS 107: Coach George Karl is all about "team," and a New Year's Eve victory over the Raptors was perfectly fitting for his 900th career win. Seven Nuggets scored in double figures as Denver helped Karl reach another milestone. More importantly, the Nuggets started 2009 with a half-game lead over Portland for what promises to be a see-saw battle for the Northwest Division title.