Eight sometimes isn’t enough. Nuggets coach George Karl normally plays just eight guys, but with Carmelo Anthony injured, Kenyon Martin ejected and Chris Andersen getting injured during the game, the coach looked deep down his bench and found some gems in Monday night’s 104-93 victory against the Charlotte Bobcats.
Forward Joey Graham shot fearless jumpers, finishing with 13 points, and Malik Allen logged double-digit minutes as a low-post presence as the Nuggets (30-14) won their seventh straight game.
Nuggets reserve guard J.R. Smith returned to the court after a stormy weekend, when his behavior on the bench Saturday nearly got him suspended. Smith finished with 12 points and was 2-for-9 from 3-point range.
Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony did not play because of a sprained left ankle, although Karl said Melo will play Wednesday at Houston, the first of three straight Denver road games. The Nuggets are 26-12 when Anthony plays.
Martin’s ejection happened quickly.
With 2:27 left in second quarter and Denver up by seven, Smith was accidentally smacked in the face by a left elbow from Gerald Wallace. Smith fell to the ground and was actually called for a foul. Teammate Martin became vividly angry, barking at the officials, notably Ken Mauer. Martin was called for a technical foul, and when Stephen Jackson missed a free throw, Martin started clapping and Mauer ejected him.
Chauncey Billups, who led the Nuggets with 27 points Monday, was named the NBA’s Western Conference player of the week, following three wins and a 25.7-point average.
