Nuggets coach George Karl is frustrated by what he perceives to be a lack of effort this season.

Denver lost 106-100 to Minnesota on Sunday night. It was just the second win of the season for the Timberwolves.

"The playing-hard thing is driving me crazy. Tell me my play-hard (lineup), tell me five guys I can put on the court to play hard every possession?" Karl said after the loss. "I had it last year. I don't have a play-hard team this year, and it's making me very angry."

The Nuggets lead by 14 at halftime, but allowed the Timberwolves to outscore them 56-36 in the second half.

"We didn't respect them enough to put them away," said Denver guard Chauncey Billups. "You give a team confidence, it's tough to stop them from rolling, no matter what their record is. That really is our fault in this locker room; that's my fault for not stepping up and leading at the start of the third quarter."

Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups hasn't been scoring much as of late.

From Nov. 13-20, Billups averaged just 6.0 points per game.

Since then, he's stepped it up to 19.3 points in four games.

"Well, I think we're better when I'm looking to score, especially early, because it puts so much pressure on the defense," Billups said. "I'll do it sometimes and sometimes I won't. In the last week or so I haven't been because I'm trying to allow some of the other guys to put their imprint on (the game).

"If I have to take a step back sometimes and do that, as long as I'm not jeopardizing the win, I don't mind that. But I knew coming into (Friday's) game that I was going to be aggressive from the jump. I was going to be aggressive, get us in a good aggressive mode and see what happens."

When his scoring numbers dipped, Billups simply wasn't attempting many shots.

"It's funny because people were saying I was struggling," Billups said. "I wasn't struggling, I was shooting five or six shots, making two or three. Struggling is 6-for-20, 5-for-16; that's struggling. I wasn't struggling at all. I just wasn't being aggressive.

"There are games I play with myself throughout the course of the season, trying to pick up certain guys' confidence, trying to open up the door for some other guys to take a bigger piece of the pie. Just small things like that, that I learned to do over the years. So I don't really listen to the 'He's struggling,' or 'He's got five points' or whatever. That's cool. When I want to put my foot on the pedal, this is what I can do all the time."

Nuggets coach George Karl doesn't think the Knicks are being fair to coach Mike D'Antoni.

New York has a roster littered with players in the final year of their contracts as they look to preserve cap space for this coming summer.

Karl thinks a coach in D'Antoni's situation is being "thrown to the wolves."

"The history of the game that I don't understand, that I don't think has a lot of success is going to the bottom and trying to sign a great free agent," Karl said Friday night. "I think it's a lack of respect to coaches. When you go to the bottom, that coach gets fired 90 percent of the time. You throw that coach to the wolves."

The Knicks aren't going to fire D'Antoni, despite their 3-13 record, but Karl says all the losing will get to the coach.

"Losing will strangle a coach," Karl said. "I don't like the philosophy. I don't think it's been a home run. I think you strikeout as often as you hit home runs with it. I praised Donnie Walsh, but the philosophy of what he's trying to do is difficult to coaching, miserable to coaching. It's the philosophy of personnel people that drives me a little crazy."

The Nuggets could consider trading guard Anthony Carter due to the development of rookie Ty Lawson, a team source told FanHouse.

Carter cannot be traded until Dec. 15 because he was re-signed as a free agent in August. He would also have to approve any deal because he signed a one-year contract and could have Bird free-agent rights next summer with Denver.

"If they want to then, that's something different," Carter told FanHouse of a possible trade. "But my decision is I want to stay here."

Prior to getting a few minutes in garbage time against Minnesota on Wednesday, Carter went five straight games without playing.

"I'm still getting paid. I get to sit in the front row and cheer my teammates on. I can't complain," Carter said. "I know what my situation is and what my role can be. If something happens (to Chauncey Billups or Lawson), I know the system and can come right in and fit right back to where ... I left off."

Carmelo Anthony was asked by Alan Hahn if he has begun giving any thought to his 2011 free agency, especially if LeBron James decides not to come to New York.

"Noooooo," he said with a laugh. "Not yet. I ain't ready to start talking about that. That's two years from now."

All indicators have Anthony signing an extension with Denver.

"We love him," Anthony said of how the NBA's stars feel about Mike D'Antoni. "Offensive players love him. I can tell you that."

The NBA featured close to a full slate of games on Thanksgiving Eve.

- Indiana 86, L.A. Clippers 73

Team FIC Differential: Pacers +13, Clippers -13

The Indiana Pacers (6-7) scored just 34 points in the first half, but woke up to defeat the Los Angeles Clippers (6-10) on Wednesday night. Troy Murphy led with 18 points and 11 rebounds, Brandon Rush posted 13 points and 11 boards and T.J. Ford added 11 points, six assists and five rebounds. Indiana turned the ball over just eight times and was without leading scorer Danny Granger. Baron Davis scored 25 points on 11-for-19 shooting, Marcus Camby tallied 15 points and 21 rebounds and Chris Kaman contributed 10 points and 10 boards.

Game FIC Scores

Marcus Camby, Los Angeles ? 28.4

Troy Murphy, Indiana ? 14.8

Baron Davis, Los Angeles ? 12.8

T.J. Ford, Indiana ? 10.0

- Charlotte 116, Toronto 81

Team FIC Differential: Bobcats +65.7, Raptors -65.7

The Charlotte Bobcats (5-9) dominated the final three quarters in an impressive win over the Toronto Raptors (7-9) at Time Warner Cable Arena. Gerald Wallace starred with 31 points and 13 rebounds, Stephen Jackson tallied 23 points and six assists and Nazr Mohammed put up 11 points and nine boards off the bench. Charlotte held Toronto to 34% shooting and turned the ball over just nine times. Chris Bosh led with 18 points and 14 rebounds, Amir Johnson posted 13 points and eight boards and DeMar DeRozan totaled 12 points and six rebounds.

Game FIC Scores

Gerald Wallace, Charlotte ? 27.3

Amir Johnson, Toronto ? 14.9

Gerald Henderson, Charlotte ? 13.8

Stephen Jackson, Charlotte ? 13.0

- Boston 113, Philadelphia 110

Team FIC Differential: Celtics +6.1, 76ers -6.1

The Boston Celtics (11-4) came alive in the fourth quarter en route to a home win over the Philadelphia 76ers (5-10). Paul Pierce had 27 points, six rebounds and six assists, Kendrick Perkins posted 12 points and eight boards and Kevin Garnett scored 19 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Boston attempted 13 more foul shots, but Philadelphia went 13-for-20 from three-point range. Andre Iguodala starred with 25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists, Thaddeus Young tallied 17 points and six boards and Jason Kapono scored 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Paul Pierce, Boston ? 24.8

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia ? 19.3

Willie Green, Philadelphia ? 13.3

Ray Allen, Boston ? 11.6

- Miami 99, Orlando 98

Team FIC Differential: Heat +6.9, Magic -6.9

Michael Beasley scored the game-winning basket as the Miami Heat (9-5) stormed back to beat the Orlando Magic (11-4) at Amway Arena. Dwyane Wade led with 24 points and six assists, Jermaine O?Neal tallied 13 points and 16 rebounds and Beasley added 15 points and 12 boards. Miami shot just 38%, but won the rebounding battle by eight and took great care of the basketball. Jason Williams had 25 points and eight assists, Dwight Howard posted 12 points and 16 rebounds and Vince Carter contributed 22 points and six boards.

Game FIC Scores

Jason Williams, Orlando ? 22.9

Jermaine O?Neal, Miami ? 16.5

Dwyane Wade, Miami ? 14.9

Dwight Howard, Orlando ? 14.6

- New Orleans 102, Milwaukee 99 (OT)

Team FIC Differential: Hornets -1.1, Bucks +1.1

The New Orleans Hornets (7-9) knocked off the Milwaukee Bucks (8-5) in overtime on Wednesday night. David West had 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, Emeka Okafor posted eight points and 13 boards and rookie Darren Collison stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, eight dimes and seven rebounds. Both teams shot below 40%, but New Orleans won the rebounding battle by 12. Luke Ridnour excelled with 23 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds, Hakim Warrick tallied 22 points and 10 boards and rookie Brandon Jennings put up 14 points, eight dimes and seven rebounds.

Game FIC Scores

Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee ? 23.2

David West, New Orleans ? 19.4

Darren Collison, New Orleans ? 15.8

Emeka Okafor, New Orleans ? 14.0

- Cleveland 98, Detroit 88

Team FIC Differential: Cavaliers +20.1, Pistons -20.1

The Cleveland Cavaliers (11-4) jumped out to an early lead and kept the Detroit Pistons (5-10) at bay for the remainder of the game. LeBron James led with 34 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, Maurice Williams tallied 14 points and eight dimes and Daniel Gibson scored 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting off the bench. Cleveland hit 50% of their shots, while holding Detroit to 39% shooting. Rodney Stuckey had 25 points and six rebounds, Charlie Villanueva posted 19 points and eight boards and Ben Wallace put up eight points and nine rebounds in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

LeBron James, Cleveland ? 20.1

Rodney Stuckey, Detroit ? 14.8

Charlie Villanueva, Detroit ? 12.5

Maurice Williams, Cleveland ? 12.0

- Denver 124, Minnesota 111

Team FIC Differential: Nuggets +28.6, Timberwolves -28.6

The Denver Nuggets (11-4) scored 40 points in the third quarter as they send the Minnesota Timberwolves (1-14) to their fourteenth straight defeat. Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and five assists, Nene posted 17 points, eight rebounds and six dimes and Chauncey Billups totaled 19 points and five dimes. Denver shot 52%, which allowed them to overcome 19 turnovers. Corey Brewer exploded for 22 points and 13 rebounds, Al Jefferson tallied 14 points and 12 boards and Jonny Flynn scored 20 points on 6-for-15 shooting.

Game FIC Scores

Corey Brewer, Minnesota ? 23.5

Nene, Denver ? 23.1

Carmelo Anthony, Denver ? 17.4

Al Jefferson, Minnesota ? 15.3

- Dallas 130, Houston 99

Team FIC Differential: Mavericks +67.1, Rockets -67.1

The Dallas Mavericks (11-4) cruised to an emphatic win over the Houston Rockets (8-7) at the Toyota Center. Dirk Nowitzki had 25 points and eight rebounds, Jason Terry tallied 27 points and 10 assists and Tim Thomas scored 23 points on 9-for-13 shooting. Dallas drilled 65% of their shots and forced Houston to commit 17 turnovers. Carl Landry led with 24 points and six rebounds, Luis Scola posted 15 points and seven boards and Trevor Ariza scored 20 points in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Jason Terry, Dallas ? 28.1

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas ? 21.8

Carl Landry, Houston ? 17.8

Tim Thomas, Dallas ? 17.1

- San Antonio 118, Golden State 104

Team FIC Differential: Spurs +38.3, Warriors -38.3

The San Antonio Spurs (7-6) used a strong third quarter to race past the Golden State Warriors (5-9). Tony Parker starred with 32 points and seven assists, Tim Duncan posted 20 points, 10 rebounds and six dimes and Roger Mason added 17 points, six boards and five assists off the bench. San Antonio shot 51% and outrebounded Golden State by seven. Monta Ellis shined with 42 points on 16-for-25 shooting, Anthony Randolph tallied 12 points and seven rebounds and rookie Stephen Curry totaled 11 points, seven boards and five assists.

Game FIC Scores

Tim Duncan, San Antonio ? 26.1

Monta Ellis, Golden State ? 25.8

Tony Parker, San Antonio ? 19.6

Roger Mason, San Antonio ? 16.8

- Phoenix 126, Memphis 111

Team FIC Differential: Suns +31.4, Grizzlies -31.4

The Phoenix Suns (12-3) used a 21-point edge over the second and third quarter to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies (5-10) at the US Airways Center. Amare Stoudemire scored a game-high 28 points, Jason Richardson tallied 20 points and five rebounds and Steve Nash added 11 points and 16 assists. Phoenix hit 61% of their shots, but Memphis won the rebounding battle by 20. Zach Randolph had 24 points and 13 rebounds, Sam Young posted 14 points and seven boards and Rudy Gay contributed 16 points and seven rebounds in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Steve Nash, Phoenix ? 21.3

Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix ? 18.8

Zach Randolph, Memphis ? 17.3

Jason Richardson, Phoenix ? 15.6

- Portland 93, New Jersey 83

Team FIC Differential: Trail Blazers +23.3, Nets -23.3

The Portland Trail Blazers (12-5) used a balanced effort to send the New Jersey Nets (0-15) to yet another loss. Greg Oden had 18 points and eight rebounds, Brandon Roy posted 13 points and five assists and LaMarcus Aldridge put up 12 points and eight boards. Portland shot 50% and attempted 10 more foul shots than New Jersey. Brook Lopez starred with 32 points and 14 rebounds, Trenton Hassell tallied 10 points and eight boards and Chris Douglas-Roberts scored 18 points on 8-for-17 shooting.

Game FIC Scores

Brook Lopez, New Jersey ? 24.8

Greg Oden, Portland ? 15.9

Andre Miller, Portland ? 14.0

Trenton Hassell, New Jersey ? 11.5

- Sacramento 111, New York 97

Team FIC Differential: Kings +24.7, Knicks -24.7

The Sacramento Kings (6-8) used a strong third quarter to knock off the New York Knicks (3-12). Donte Greene had 24 points and five assists, Tyreke Evans tallied 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven dimes and Sergio Rodriguez totaled 15 points, four boards and four assists in the win. Sacramento held New York to 38% shooting and won the rebounding battle by seven. David Lee had 25 points and 12 rebounds, Nate Robinson posted 25 points and five assists and Al Harrington contributed 17 points, nine boards and five dimes in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Donte Green, Sacramento ? 23.0

David Lee, New York ? 21.6

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento ? 15.5

Nate Robinson, New York ? 15.4

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.? Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season

Former Nets forward Kenyon Martin believes that owner Bruce Ratner is to blame for the team's struggles.

The Nuggets, Martin's current team, dropped the Nets to 0-14 on the season Tuesday night.

"When you let people who have never played the game of basketball make decisions, that's what you get," said Martin. "Bruce Ratner came in and made decisions and it affected everything from that point on. The blame for that has to go somewhere. It can't always be on the players."

Ratner bought the team six years ago as they were coming off back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals.

Martin, who played for Nets coach Lawrence Frank for just half of a season, doesn't believe he deserves the blame.

"He cares so much," said Martin. "I could see if he was one of those coaches who didn't care. He puts his all into it. Even when he was an assistant, he put his all into it. Just keep his head up. The only thing he can do is give those guys information and push them as much as he can. And if it turns around it turns around. I wish him all the best."

Nets head coach Lawrence Frank called his team?s performance ?unacceptable? as it dropped its 14th straight game to start the season, according to an Associated Press report.

With Carmelo Anthony leading the way, the Nuggets seemingly scored at will in a 101-87 win Tuesday night.

?I?m very, very disappointed. Embarrassed,? Frank said. ?I just don?t think we put our best foot forward.?

At 0-14, the Nets are creeping closer to the NBA record of 17 consecutive losses to start a season, which is held by the Heat and the Clippers.

Nuggets coach George Karl isn't against signing free-agent guard Allen Iverson.

Denver won 50 games with Iverson during the 2007-08 season.

Karl clarified that the future Hall of Famer will only be an option if the injury bug hits the club.

"A.I. for us is an injury discussion," Karl said. "I don't think it's an (overall) discussion right now for us. Say that Ty Lawson is out for the season. Speed and quickness is what Lawson gives us, so A.I. would be on the list of speed and quickness."

Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson has played very well to begin his NBA career.

He is averaging 10.3 points in 21.8 minutes per game off the bench.

Bucks guard Brandon Jennings is currently leading the race, but Lawson admitted to thinking about winning Rookie of the Year honors.

"I'm a rookie, of course I want to be Rookie of the Year," he said. "But right now I'm focused on the team. We've got big things we can do right now, so I'm focused on the team."