J.R. Smith will make his season debut for the Nuggets on Tuesday night after serving a seven-game suspension.

"We need J.R. back on the court, and we need him to conform and fit in as fast as possible," coach George Karl said.

Smith will come off the bench, but play starter's minutes as Karl likes having his scoring punch with the second unit.

Joey Graham, Anthony Carter, Ty Lawson and Arron Afflalo are players that could see their minutes reduced with Smith back in the lineup.

"There's more of a comfort zone and confidence with J.R. ? (his teammates) knowing that he's standing there and has the ability to play-make for us," Karl added.

"At the end of last year, he was playing at a higher level, playing consistent-to-good basketball, and I think great athletes, great scorers, have a tendency of learning that as their careers go on.

"If you have a talented player that can be fundamentally sound, you have a special player. That's the direction J.R. is moving toward, where his scoring actions have a fundamental soundness to it ? more than a spectacular feel, which sometimes has turnovers that come with it."