ROTATION: Starters -- Point guard Chauncey Billups, Shooting guard Dahntay Jones, Small forward J.R. Smith, Power forward Kenyon Martin, Center Nene. Bench -- Guard Anthony Carter, Forward Linas Kleiza, Forward Chris Andersen, Forward Renaldo Balkman, Guard Chucky Atkins.
PLAYER NOTES: --C Nene was visibly frustrated at times Friday night while committing five fouls and accounting for four turnovers, but he did a good job keeping his focus. Nene finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double.
--F Linas Kleiza had been in a five-game groove before struggling a bit Friday. Coming off a 20-point performance two days before Christmas, Kleiza missed five of his first six shots and finished with six points. He did make a key three-pointer in the fourth quarter as the Nuggets rallied from a 17-point deficit.
--G Chauncey Billups is one of the best free-throw shooters in the game, and his accuracy was critical against Philadelphia. With the Nuggets needing every point in a tight game, Billups converted 14 of 14 free throws to improve his percentage from 89.0 percent to 89.9.
--G J.R. Smith had the crowd behind him Friday night as he buried three-pointer after three-pointer, but the fans were not exactly "educated." They booed heavily late in the fourth quarter as coach George Karl removed Smith for defensive purposes. Karl re-inserted Smith for offense after the Nuggets took a timeout.
MEDICAL WATCH:
--F Carmelo Anthony (bruised right elbow) has missed the past three games. He said the elbow feels better after a week of treatment and he expects to return Sunday against the New York Knicks.
--C Steven Hunter (right knee surgery) hasn't played since the first preseason game. He underwent surgery Nov. 14, and will be out until at least mid-February.
