The Denver Nuggets (8-9) are hoping that the return of head coach George Karl can get the team back into the win column after losing their last three straight games. The Nuggets are 0-4 without Karl on the side lines. The coach missed the last two Denver games for publicly criticizing officials after a 101-92 loss to New Jersey on Monday. Karl was also suspended for the first two games of the season for attending off-season workouts at Marquette University involving a player not eligible for the draft. Assistant Scott Brooks served in his absence in all four defeats. Denver lost to the Phoenix Suns at the America West Arena on Friday 102-97. C Marcus Camby continues to have his best season as a professional as he scored season highs of 33 points and 20 rebounds. Camby recorded his eighth straight double-double. The Nuggets were happy to get Carmelo Anthony back from an ankle injury. Anthony scored 22 points but had to leave in the fourth quarter after re-aggravating the right ankle. Anthony will be missed if he is not able to play when they on the Miami Heat. The Nuggets have won their last three home meetings with the Heat, including a 104-95 victory last season in which Anthony scored 28 points.

Dwayne Wade is ta

king charge for Shaq-less Heat. Miami (10-6) have won three straight games, including 98-87 over Sacramento at Arco Arena on Friday. Miami is coming off back-to-back victories for the first time this season. G Dwyane Wade scored 27 points with seven assists and G Jason Williams added 20 with eight assists for the Heat, who started the trip with a 96-74 win at Atlanta on Wednesday. C Alonzo Mourning continues to fill in nicely for the Heat in Super Star Shaquille O'Neal continues to nurse his ailing ankle. Mourning blocked seven shots against the Kings and leads the NBA with 4.1 blocks per game. Miami is playing solid defense over the last five games holding their opponents to 87.6 points per game. Shaq is a week away from returning to the line up.

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