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Karl aims for 1,000 again as Nuggets visit Raptors

Dec 10, 2010 - 4:06 PM (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets will try once again to get head coach George Karl his 1,000th career win, as they continue a four-game road trip Friday against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre.

Karl's squad has lost his last two attempts, including Wednesday's 105-89 setback in Boston. Ty Lawson had 24 points in a reserve role for the Nuggets, who battled back from a 19-point deficit only to lose for the second time in a row following a seven-game winning streak.

Denver lost in Charlotte on Tuesday to open the trek.

"When you get down like that, you pretty much gotta play perfect," said Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, who scored just five points in 33 minutes. "And this is not the team to play against where every shot has to go in."

Karl is trying to join Don Nelson, Lenny Wilkens, Pat Riley, Jerry Sloan, Phil Jackson and Larry Brown as the only NBA head coaches to reach the 1,000-win plateau.

The Nuggets are 3-7 away from the Rocky Mountains and will also visit New York on the road swing. Meanwhile, superstar Carmelo Anthony (right knee) is questionable for tonight and did not play against the Celtics. He is averaging 22.8 points per game.

Toronto has lost three straight and five of seven games, including Wednesday's 113-110 loss at the Knicks.

Andrea Bargnani made 16-of-24 shots from the field en route to a career-high 41 points, while DeMar DeRozan added 19 points and five rebounds. Jose Calderon notched 11 points and seven assists for the Raptors, who will put their 6-5 home record to the test tonight.

"I think we did a good job," Bargnani said postgame.

Raptors forward Peja Stojakovic missed his sixth straight game with a knee ailment and is questionable for Friday.