--F Kenyon Martin, who recently missed 1-1/2 games due to back spasms, has had a hard time getting back in the groove. In his four games back, Martin has averaged just 7.5 points and 5 rebounds. Martin didn't even play in the fourth quarter of Friday's 90-79 win over the Lakers. Sunday at Indiana, he scored eight points in 33 minutes.

--G Chauncey Billups is gearing up in a big way for his Tuesday return to Detroit. Billups, acquired Nov. 3 from the Pistons, has averaged 27.3 points the past three games. It's the best three-game stretch of the season for Billups, who scored 27 points Sunday at Indiana and also had four steals.

--C Johan Petro has returned to the end of the bench. With Nene out for two games due to a knee injury and coming off the bench in his first game back, Petro started three games. But Petro didn't play Sunday at Indiana, with Nene returning to the starting lineup. Petro had played well in his first two starts, but did little in his third start, committing three fouls in the first three minutes Friday against the Lakers and finishing with two points and two rebounds in 17 minutes.

--F Carmelo Anthony suddenly has lost his range after a sharp-shooting showing Wednesday against Atlanta. In that game, Anthony scored 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 3-of-4 from three-point range. But in the past two games Anthony has shot just 12-of-41, including 1-of-6 from three-point range, and has averaged 16 points. It is apparently frustrating Anthony, who picked up a technical in the second half Sunday at Indiana after believing he had been fouled on a put-back shot. Monday, Anthony was suspended for one game for what the team called an "in-game transgression."

MEDICAL WATCH:

--C Steven Hunter (right knee surgery) hasn't played since the first preseason game. He underwent surgery Nov. 14, and is hopeful of returning sometime in March.