Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

Denver Nuggets (5-2) at Chicago Bulls (4-2), 8 p.m.

The red-hot start for the Denver Nuggets has been extinguished, as they try to get back on track tonight against the Chicago Bulls at the United Center.

Denver opened the 2009-10 campaign with five straight wins before losing its last two contests, including Saturday's 125-100 loss at Atlanta. Carmelo Anthony netted a game-high 30 points and grabbed six boards for the Nuggets, who are 2-2 on a six-game swing.

Chauncey Billups contributed 27 points and seven assists, while Nene had 12 points and rookie Ty Lawson added 10 in defeat.

"This is the nature of the NBA, man," said Billups. "It's disappointing to [have losses] come on back-to-back nights, but this Atlanta team is tough. You have to give them credit."

Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin did not play due to a left fibula contusion suffered in Friday's game. Martin is doubtful for Tuesday and guard J.R. Smith is probable after serving a seven-game suspension for pleading guilty to reckless driving in a 2007 accident resulting in the death of a passenger in his car. Smith was also suspended for two games at the start of the 2007-08 season due to the crash.

Denver will wrap up its trek at Milwaukee on Wednesday.

The Bulls have won three in a row and handed the Charlotte Bobcats a 93-90 loss on Saturday in the Windy City.

Joakim Noah scored a career-high 21 points and pulled down a game-best 16 rebounds, as the Bulls pushed their home mark to 3-0. John Salmons led all scorers with 27 points and also added seven boards and six assists.

Luol Deng had 14 points and 10 boards for Chicago, which got 13 points from star guard Derrick Rose and will be without forward Tyrus Thomas for up to six weeks with a broken left forearm.

Denver and Chicago have split the last 10 meetings between the teams, while the Bulls are unbeaten over the past three matchups as the host.