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Slumping Nuggets hope to have Iverson vs. Hornets

Feb 7, 2007 - 6:24 PM New Orleans (21-27) at Denver (23-23) 9:00 pm EST

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Denver Nuggets hope to have "The Answer" for the New Orleans Hornets.

Sidelined over the last four games with a sprained right ankle, Iverson hopes to return Wednesday when the Nuggets host the Hornets.

The pint-sized Iverson is averaging 28.9 points - third in the league - and leads the NBA in minutes-per-game (43.0).

Denver, which has lost six of its last seven games, hopes to rebound from Monday's 113-108 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Carmelo Anthony posted his first career triple-double - the 13th player in team history to achieve the feat - with 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Nene scored a career-high 27 points and J.R. Smith added 18 off the bench.

Despite losing, 105-99, at Sacramento on Monday, the Hornets have won five of their last seven games.

Chris Paul, who recently returned after missing 17 games with a right ankle sprain, had 24 points, six assists and five steals. The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 17.3 points, 6.3 assists and 3.5 steals in four games since returning.

Denver has won three out of the last four games against the Hornets at Pepsi Center and seven of 10 overall.

The Hornets took a 99-89 victory on December 29, but Anthony and Smith did not play as they were serving suspensions for their roles in the brawl with the New York Knicks.