--F Kenyon Martin received a technical with 1:26 left in Thursday's 105-101 loss to New Orleans when he kicked the scorer's table after being upset at seeing Hornets forward Peja Stojakovic hit a late three-pointer. "The league is really into not allowing things that look bad, and they're going to be more assertive in calling things at the end of the game," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "It's going to be hard to adapt to. I don't think Kenyon was mad at the referees. He was mad at the play."

--F Chris Andersen returned Thursday after missing nine games because of a broken rib suffered Nov. 9 against Memphis. Andersen hardly missed a beat, totaling six points and eight rebounds in 23 minutes against his former team. He said he "talked to everyone" on the Hornets before the game.

--F Anthony Carter surprised everyone by shooting 45-of-129 from three-point range (34.9 percent) last season after he had been 16-of-127 previously in his career. But Carter is starting to lose his touch. He's 6-of-22 (27.3 percent) this season and has struggled lately on offense. Carter went scoreless in 21 minutes Thursday but did hand out eight assists.

--C Nene can't do it every night. After scoring in double figures in 12 straight games, Nene managed just nine points Thursday against New Orleans, and he also grabbed a mere two rebounds. Most disappointing for the Nuggets is that Nene failed to take advantage of New Orleans not having starting center Tyson Chandler, out because his wife had a baby.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--F Chris Anderson (broken rib) played Thursday after missing nine games.

--C Steven Hunter (right knee inflammation) hasn't played since the first preseason game. He underwent surgery Nov. 14 and will be out until at least mid-February. He said there's a chance he might not return this season.

--G-F Sonny Weems (left groin strain) hasn't played this season but has returned to practice. Whenever Weems plays in a game, it could be with the NBADL's Colorado 14ers.