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Karl, Nuggets visit streaking Celtics

Dec 8, 2010 - 3:58 PM (Sports Network) - Head coach George Karl and the Denver Nuggets will continue their four-game road trip on the east coast tonight against the streaking Boston Celtics from TD Garden.

Karl was denied in his quest for the 1,000th victory in his career in last night's 100-98 loss in Charlotte. A win tonight by the Nuggets and Karl will join Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Pat Riley, Jerry Sloan, Phil Jackson and Larry Brown as one of only seven coaches to win 1,000 games in the NBA. Karl missed the last two months of the 2009-10 season while undergoing treatment for throat and neck cancer.

Chauncey Billups led all scorers with 25 points, but missed a potential game- winning three-pointer in the final seconds for the Nuggets, who had won seven in a row and got 22 points from superstar Carmelo Anthony.

"I thought tonight we made some good passes and didn't get rewarded early in the game," Karl said. "I thought we had numerous wide open looks. We just didn't make shots tonight off the pass."

The Nuggets are 3-6 away from the Rocky Mountains this season and will also make stops in Toronto and New York.

Boston has won seven in a row overall and four straight at home. It is coming off Sunday's 100-75 victory in New Jersey, as Nate Robinson led the way with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists. Robinson was filling in for injured point guard Rajon Rondo, who is doubtful for Wednesday's game with both hamstring and foot ailments.

"The guys in the first unit are veterans and they know how to play the game," Robinson said about the opportunity to start. "Us younger guys try not to make mistakes and, at the same time, try to play 'Celtic basketball.' As we continue to grow and learn from the first unit, the second unit will gradually get better."

Kevin Garnett added 13 points and 14 boards, while Glen Davis contributed 16 points and nine boards off the bench for the Celtics. Robinson is doubtful for tonight due to personal reasons, veteran center Shaquille O'Neal is listed as doubtful with a sore right calf and Davis (illness) is questionable.

The Celtics are 9-1 in Beantown this season.

Denver and Boston have split the past 14 meetings between the teams.