Sometimes, eight isn’t enough.
Nuggets coach George Karl normally plays just eight guys, but with Carmelo Anthony injured, Kenyon Martin ejected and Chris Andersen spraining his ankle Monday, the coach found some gems deep on his bench in the 104-93 win against Charlotte at the Pepsi Center.
Small forward Joey Graham shot fearless jumpers like he was Melo, finishing with 13 points on 6-for-11 shooting, and Malik Allen grabbed five rebounds in 20 minutes, providing “glue” and “a teamness,” as Karl said afterward. And wouldn’t you know, the Nuggets — just not all the guys fans are used to — won their seventh consecutive game, Denver’s longest such streak this season.
“I’m always confident about playing minutes — it’s just about getting out there and getting comfortable,” said Graham, who played six garbage-time minutes or less in Denver’s six previous games. “That’s part about being a professional — you never know when your name’s going to be called. But hopefully we can get Melo back as fast as possible.”
The all-star Anthony will likely play Wednesday at Houston, while Andersen (also a left ankle sprain) is questionable. Martin was ejected in the second quarter when he earned two technicals for arguing — and then clapping after the ensuing missed free throw — after J.R. Smith was accidentally elbowed in the face by Gerald Wallace.
Oh, yes, Smith. The reserve guard did play, avoiding suspension, but shot poorly (5-for-14), although he received some praise from Karl regarding his seriousness.
Monday’s win was pretty much a second-half blowout, a surprising turn of events since the Bobcats are no longer the old-school Bobcats. They are playoff contenders and had lost just three games in January — and they beat Denver in December.
So how did short-handed Denver do it?
Up by just four at the half, the Nuggets (30-14) pulled away in the third quarter, thanks to smothering defense (Charlotte shot 35 percent), unselfish and smart passing (nine assists, two turnovers) and Graham playing like he was back at Oklahoma State (11 points in 11 third-quarter minutes).
And Chauncey Billups and Arron Afflalo weren’t just Denver’s horses — these guys were like Affirmed and Alydar. One game after Afflalo hit a career-high five 3-pointers, he hit six against Charlotte (21-22), using good spacing and a fluid trigger to excel. He finished with 24 points, a career high. And Billups isn’t just playing like an all-star reserve these days, he’s looking like he deserves to start. Mr. Big Shot scored 27 points and had 11 assists, both game highs, on the day he was announced the Western Conference’s player of the week for the previous week (25.7 points per game).
“Since he’s been back from injury,” Karl said, “the numbers he’s putting up, the offensive and defense leadership and his orchestrating of the team have been incredible.”
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1254 or bhochman@denverpost.com
Nuggets Recap
What you might have missed
Denver had 29 assists and is now 13-1 when it has 25 or more. . . . The Nuggets honored radio broadcaster Jerry Schemmel, who after 18 years announced his last game Monday. He is the new radio voice of the Colorado Rockies.
Final thought
Chauncey Billups should be an all-star; sorry, Deron Williams.
Up next
Wednesday at Houston, 6:30 p.m.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
