ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Anthony Carter, Shooting guard Allen Iverson, Small forward Carmelo Anthony, Power forward Kenyon Martin, Center Nene. Bench -- Forward Linas Kleiza, Guard J.R. Smith, Guard Dahntay Jones, Forward Chris Andersen.
PLAYER NOTES: --F Linas Kleiza said he's "close" to signing a contract extension that would start next season. Kleiza has until Friday to sign a deal that has been reported to be worth $25 million over four years.
--F Carmelo Anthony, suspended for the first two games of the season due to a plea bargain following an April DUI arrest, did not travel with the Nuggets for Wednesday's season opener in Utah due to having three wisdom teeth taken out in Denver. While Nuggets coach George Karl said the procedure was "painful," Anthony has expressed confidence he won't be hampered when he plays for the first time in Saturday's home opener against the Lakers.
--G Allen Iverson insists he's fully healthy despite a missing four preseason games due to knee and ankle injuries, and averaging just 5.3 points and shooting 18.2 percent in the three he did play. "I'm 100 percent," Iverson said after scoring 18 points and handing out eight assists in Wednesday's opener at Utah. "I don't have (any) excuses at all. If I didn't think I could help this team, I wouldn't have gone out and played."
--C Nene is still getting his feet wet as he takes over from the departed Marcus Camby as Denver's starter. Nene looked good in the first quarter of Wednesday's opener at Utah, scoring eight of his 11 points. But Nene got a bit erratic as the game went on due to foul trouble, and eventually fouled out with 1:05 remaining.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--G Chucky Atkins (right knee surgery) missed the entire preseason and was projected to be out at least six weeks following Sept. 24 surgery. While the six-week mark is Nov. 5, Atkins said he won't be back until one or two weeks after that.
--C Steven Hunter (right knee inflammation) missed the final six preseason games and is out to start the regular season. Hunter is undergoing treatment, and a timetable for his return is uncertain.
--F Sonny Weems (left groin strain) missed the entire preseason. It's uncertain when Weems, who was recovering from sports hernia surgery before suffering the groin strain, will be able to even take the floor for a full practice.
