The Nuggets have lost backup center Brian Butch for the next 6 months as he ruptured his patella tendon playing in the summer league. Butch played in 39 games (38 starts) in the D-League last season and he averaged 33.9 minutes, 17.7 points, 11.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game. This is a big blow to Butch who was likely going to get his big chance to make it in the NBA.

The Nuggets will be without starting power forward Kenyon Martin indefinitely due to a knee injury. Martin has played in 55 games (all starts) for the Nuggets this season and he is averaging 34.9 minutes, 11.8 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocked shots per game. This is a huge loss for the Nuggets who hope that Martin will be back before the playoffs start. Johan Petro has replaced Martin in the starting lineup so far and the Nuggets need him to step up. Petro has played in 19 games (2 starts) for the Nuggets this season and he is averaging 7.1 minutes, 2.1 points, 2.4 rebounds and 0.1 assists per game. In his last three games, Petro is averaging 15.7 minutes, 4.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game.

Chris Anderson doesn’t have to score a lot of points, or even play a lot of minutes to be a difference-maker for the Denver Nuggets.  “The Birdman” is averaging 22.3 minutes per game, 6.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, and 0.7 blocks this season.  He is great at guarding the rim, and whether he blocks the shot or not the opposition has to adjust the way they attack the basket when he is on the court.  Despite an ailing knee with tendinitis, Anderson has been playing even better lately.  During the Nuggets current three-game winning streak, Anderson is averaging 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.3 blocks.  A fan favorite in Denver, Anderson not only gives the Nuggets a great shot-blocker, but he also brings a lot of energy and excitement to the team when he comes off the bench.  Hopefully Anderson’s knee tendinitis doesn’t get any worse and he can continue to play through it, because he will be a huge asset for them in the playoffs when defense is needed most.

The Denver Nuggets can breathe a big sigh of relief with the return of their superstar Carmelo Anthony.  Anthony missed the previous 8 games with an ankle injury, and the Nuggets went 5-3 without him.  He returned on Tuesday night and helped the Nuggets blow out the Mavericks 127-91.  It was a good thing the Nuggets blew them out, as Anthony did not have to play a ton of minutes in his first game back.  He played only 30 minutes and went 8-16 from the field for 19 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds.  The Nuggets are not the same team without Carmelo and he can flat out score the ball for them.  He was leading the league in scoring before his injury, but now sits at third (29.5 ppg), only a few tenths of a point behind Kevin Durant (29.7 ppg) and LeBron James (29.8 ppg).  Carmelo is coming back at a key time for the Nuggets, who have some tough teams coming up on their schedule.  Out of the seven games they have left this month they have to face four tough teams in the Spurs, Cavaliers, Celtics, and Lakers.

The Nuggets will be without starting power forward Kenyon Martin for a week or two due to a lower left leg contusion. Martin has started all 6 games for the Nuggets this season and he is averaging 30.7 minutes, 10.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game. Either Chris Andersen or Renaldo Balkman will replace Martin in the starting lineup but regardless of who starts they will both likely see an increase in minutes. Andersen has played in 6 games (0 starts) for the Nuggets this season and he is averaging 21.8 minutes, 5.2 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 1.2 blocked shots per game. Balkman has played in 3 games (0 starts) this season for the Nuggets and he has averaged 9.0 minutes, 2.7 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. I would think that the Nuggets would likely start Balkman so that Andersen can stay with the second unit where he is very effective.