--F Carmelo Anthony (broken right hand) was hurt Jan. 5 against Indiana. Anthony was ruled out three to four weeks. He's expected to return Friday against Charlotte.

--C Steven Hunter (right knee surgery) hasn't played since the first preseason game. He underwent surgery Nov. 14, and is expected to return in late February or early March.

PLAYER NOTES:

--G J.R. Smith is expected to move to the bench Friday when starting small forward Carmelo Anthony is likely to return after missing 10 games with a broken hand. Dahntay Jones would then slide from small forward back to shooting guard, where Smith has been starting. Smith at least finished his starting run with a flourish. He averaged 21 points over the last five games, including 20 Wednesday at New Orleans.

--C Nene hasn't exactly built upon last Sunday, when he shot 12-of-12 and tied his career high with 28 points against Utah. Over his past two games, Nene has shot 7-of-14 while averaging 10.5 points. Teams have perhaps started to key more on Nene after his huge outing against the Jazz. At least Nene was able to keep his turnovers down Wednesday at New Orleans. He had just one a night after getting eight at Memphis.

--F Kenyon Martin wasn't 12-of-12, which is what C Nene shot last Sunday against Utah. But Martin wasn't too shabby Wednesday at New Orleans, shooting 10-of-12 and scoring 22 points. It's the fifth game this season Martin has shot 66.7 percent or better, with nine or more field-goal attempts. His most spectacular outing was 10-of-10 Nov. 23 against Chicago.

--G Anthony Carter picked up a technical foul late in the third quarter Wednesday at New Orleans. Carter was called for a backcourt violation, although the Nuggets thought the ball was hit by a Hornets' player. Carter got his technical for flinging the ball and Nuggets coach George Karl picked one up for arguing.

"I don't think A.C.'s technical was called for," coach George Karl said. "Mine was probably called for. The whistle sometimes on the road is difficult to understand."