# 2009–10 Denver Nuggets season

The 2009–10 Denver Nuggets season was the 43rd season of the franchise, its 34th in the National Basketball Association (NBA). After their trip the conference finals last season, the Nuggets started the season 35–18 before the All-Star break. Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups were selected to the 2010 NBA All-Star Game with George Karl coaching the Western Conference. Karl was diagnosed with neck and throat cancer, ending his season. Adrian Dantley took over and the team struggled in the second half of the season, finishing with a 53–29 record and earned the number 4 seed in the West. Denver's season ended in the first round with a defeat to the Utah Jazz in six games. The Nuggets had the third best team offensive rating in the NBA.

## Key dates

* June 25 – The 2009 NBA draft took place in New York City.
* July 8 – The free agency period started.

## Free Agency

On July 8, the Nuggets re-signed fan favorite Chris "Birdman" Andersen to a 5-year, $21.17 million contract, worth up to $26 million with incentives. However, on July 13, the Nuggets lost starting shooting guard Dahntay Jones, who signed a 4-year, $10.6 million contract with the Indiana Pacers. The Nuggets also lost reserve forward Linas Kleiza to Greek team Olympiacos Piraeus on August 10, when he signed a 2-year, $12.2 million contract. On August 16, backup point guard Anthony Carter was re-signed to a 1-year minimum-salary contract worth $1,306,455. On August 27, the team re-signed reserve center Johan Petro to a 1-year minimum-salary contract worth $884,881. On September 25, the Nuggets signed forward Joey Graham to a 1-year, non-guaranteed, minimum salary contract worth $884,881. On September 28, reserve point guard Jason Hart signed a 1-year non-guaranteed minimum-salary contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. On September 26, the team also signed forward Keith Brumbaugh, point guard Dontaye Draper, and center Kurt Looby to non-guaranteed contracts for training camp. Brumbaugh was waived on October 10. Draper and Looby were waived on October 21.

## Trades

The Nuggets made two draft-day trades as well as several others later in the offseason. On draft day, the Nuggets acquired the draft rights to point guard Ty Lawson, the 18th overall pick, from Minnesota in exchange for Charlotte's 2010 1st round pick, which they had previously acquired. The Nuggets also traded the draft rights to point guard Sergio Llull, a second round pick (34th overall), to the Houston Rockets in exchange for $2.25 million cash. On July 13, the Nuggets acquired shooting guard Arron Afflalo, forward Walter Sharpe, and $350,000 cash from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for a 2011 2nd round pick. The pick will be the lower of the Nuggets' and Blazers' selections, which the Nuggets previously acquired. On July 31, the Nuggets acquired power forward Malik Allen from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for swingman Sonny Weems, Sharpe, and cash considerations. On August 10, the Nuggets traded F/C Steven Hunter, their 2010 1st round pick, and $3 million cash to the Memphis Grizzlies for a 2014 conditional 2nd round pick. On September 22, the Nuggets acquired swingman James White from Houston in exchange for the draft rights to forward Axel Hervelle, a 2005 2nd round pick (52nd overall). White was waived on October 21.

## Draft

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College |
| 1 | 18 | Ty Lawson$^*$ | Point guard | United States | UNC |
| 2 | 34 | Sergio Llull$^x$ | Point guard | Spain | Real Madrid (Spain) |
$^*$ Acquired from Minnesota. $^x$ Traded to Houston.

## Regular season
### Standings

| Northwest Divisionvte | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div |
| y-Denver Nuggets | 53 | 29 | .646 | – | 34–7 | 19–22 | 12–4 |
| x-Utah Jazz | 53 | 29 | .646 | – | 32–9 | 21–20 | 8–8 |
| x-Portland Trail Blazers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 3 | 26–15 | 24–17 | 8–8 |
| x-Oklahoma City Thunder | 50 | 32 | .610 | 3 | 27–14 | 23–18 | 9–7 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 15 | 67 | .183 | 38 | 10–31 | 5–36 | 3–13 |
| # | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte | Western Conferencevte |
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB |
| 1 | c-Los Angeles Lakers | 57 | 25 | .695 | – |
| 2 | y-Dallas Mavericks | 55 | 27 | .671 | 2 |
| 3 | x-Phoenix Suns | 54 | 28 | .659 | 3 |
| 4 | y-Denver Nuggets | 53 | 29 | .646 | 4 |
| 5 | x-Utah Jazz | 53 | 29 | .646 | 4 |
| 6 | x-Portland Trail Blazers | 50 | 32 | .610 | 7 |
| 7 | x-San Antonio Spurs | 50 | 32 | .610 | 7 |
| 8 | x-Oklahoma City Thunder | 50 | 32 | .610 | 7 |
| 9 | Houston Rockets | 42 | 40 | .512 | 15 |
| 10 | Memphis Grizzlies | 40 | 42 | .488 | 17 |
| 11 | New Orleans Hornets | 37 | 45 | .451 | 20 |
| 12 | Los Angeles Clippers | 29 | 53 | .354 | 28 |
| 13 | Golden State Warriors | 26 | 56 | .317 | 31 |
| 14 | Sacramento Kings | 25 | 57 | .305 | 32 |
| 15 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 15 | 67 | .183 | 42 |

### Record vs. opponents

2009-10 NBA Records :
| Team | ATL | BOS | CHA | CHI | CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GSW | HOU | IND | LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN | NJN | NOH | NYK | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHO | POR | SAC | SAS | TOR | UTA | WAS |
| Atlanta | — | 4–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 |
| Boston | 0–4 | — | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Charlotte | 2–2 | 0–3 | — | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 |
| Chicago | 1–3 | 2–2 | 3–1 | — | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| Cleveland | 3–1 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 |
| Dallas | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | — | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 |
| Denver | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–2 | — | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 |
| Detroit | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | – | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 4–0 |
| Golden State | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–1 | – | 0–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 2–0 | 0–3 | 0–2 |
| Houston | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | — | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Indiana | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 2–0 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| L.A. Clippers | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | — | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 |
| L.A. Lakers | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | — | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Memphis | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 1–2 | — | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–2 | 2–0 |
| Miami | 3–1 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 1–3 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 |
| Milwaukee | 1–2 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | — | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 0–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Minnesota | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | — | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 0–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 |
| New Jersey | 0–3 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 2–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | 0–2 | — | 1–1 | 2–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0–4 |
| New Orleans | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–2 | 2–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 1–1 |
| New York | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | — | 0–2 | 0–3 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 3–1 |
| Oklahoma City | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | – | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 |
| Orlando | 3–1 | 3–1 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 1–1 | – | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 |
| Philadelphia | 1–2 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 1–3 | 0–3 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–4 | – | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–3 |
| Phoenix | 1–1 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | – | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 |
| Portland | 0–2 | 0–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–1 | – | 4–0 | 3–0 | 2–0 | 0–4 | 1–1 |
| Sacramento | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0–4 | – | 0–4 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–1 |
| San Antonio | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–2 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 1–2 | 0–3 | 4–0 | – | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 |
| Toronto | 1–3 | 0–4 | 2–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 1–2 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 2–0 | 4–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 3–1 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 2–1 |
| Utah | 0–2 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–0 | 1–1 | 2–1 | 1–3 | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 2–1 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 2–2 | 2–0 | 3–1 | 2–0 | 1–3 | 1–1 | 2–0 | 2–2 | 4–0 | 1–2 | 4–0 | 2–0 | — | 2–0 |
| Washington | 0–4 | 1–3 | 0–4 | 1–2 | 1–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–4 | 2–0 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 0–2 | 1–3 | 2–2 | 1–1 | 4–0 | 1–1 | 1–3 | 0–2 | 2–2 | 3–0 | 0–2 | 1–1 | 1–1 | 0–2 | 1–2 | 0–2 | — |

### Game log

2009–10 game log :
October: 2–0 (home: 1–0; road: 1–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 28
Jazz
W 114–105
Carmelo Anthony (30)
Kenyon Martin (11)
Ty Lawson (6)
Pepsi Center 19,155
1–0
2
October 29
@ Trail Blazers
W 97–94
Carmelo Anthony (41)
Nenê (11)
Chauncey Billups (6)
Rose Garden Arena 20,218
2–0 :
November: 10–5 (home: 6–1; road: 4–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
3
November 1
Grizzlies
W 133–123
Carmelo Anthony (42)
Nenê (9)
Chauncey Billups (12)
Pepsi Center 15,823
3–0
4
November 3
@ Pacers
W 111–93
Carmelo Anthony (25)
Nenê (13)
Anthony Carter (5)
Conseco Fieldhouse 10,627
4–0
5
November 4
@ Nets
W 122–94
Ty Lawson (23)
Kenyon Martin (10)
Chauncey Billups (5)
Izod Center 15,319
5–0
6
November 6
@ Heat
L 88–96
Carmelo Anthony (30)
Carmelo Anthony, Nenê (8)
Chauncey Billups, Carmelo Anthony, Ty Lawson, Arron Afflalo (2)
AmericanAirlines Arena 19,600
5–1
7
November 7
@ Hawks
L 100–125
Carmelo Anthony (30)
Chris Andersen (11)
Chauncey Billups (7)
Philips Arena 17,801
5–2
8
November 10
@ Bulls
W 90–89
Carmelo Anthony (20)
Nenê (12)
Chauncey Billups (6)
United Center 21,409
6–2
9
November 11
@ Bucks
L 102–108
Carmelo Anthony (32)
Carmelo Anthony (10)
Chauncey Billups, Ty Lawson (5)
Bradley Center 12,987
6–3
10
November 13
Lakers
W 105–79
Carmelo Anthony (25)
Chris Andersen (11)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Pepsi Center 19,141
7–3
11
November 17
Raptors
W 130–112
Carmelo Anthony (32)
Nenê (10)
Chauncey Billups (10)
Pepsi Center 16,446
8–3
12
November 20
@ Clippers
L 99–106
Carmelo Anthony (37)
Nenê (12)
Chauncey Billups (7)
Staples Center 18,155
8–4
13
November 21
Bulls
W 112–93
Carmelo Anthony (30)
Carmelo Anthony, Kenyon Martin (11)
Carmelo Anthony (7)
Pepsi Center 19,359
9–4
14
November 24
Nets
W 101–87
Carmelo Anthony (27)
Nenê (9)
Chauncey Billups (7)
Pepsi Center 16,307
10–4
15
November 25
@ Timberwolves
W 124–111
Carmelo Anthony (22)
Nenê (8)
Nenê, Ty Lawson (6)
Target Center 13,101
11–4
16
November 27
Knicks
W 128–125
Carmelo Anthony (50)
Nenê, Kenyon Martin (11)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Pepsi Center 19,155
12–4
17
November 29
Timberwolves
L 100–106
Carmelo Anthony (32)
Kenyon Martin (14)
Nenê (5)
Pepsi Center 15,147
12–5 :
December: 8–7 (home: 6–1; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
18
December 1
Warriors
W 135–107
Carmelo Anthony (25)
Nenê (12)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Pepsi Center 14,570
13–5
19
December 3
Heat
W 114–96
Carmelo Anthony (22)
Chris Andersen (10)
Chauncey Billups (7)
Pepsi Center 14,998
14–5
20
December 5
@ Spurs
W 106–99
Carmelo Anthony (34)
Kenyon Martin (13)
Chauncey Billups (5)
AT&T Center 17,592
15–5
21
December 7
@ 76ers
W 93–83
Chauncey Billups (31)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Wachovia Center 20,664
16–5
22
December 8
@ Bobcats
L 95–107
Carmelo Anthony (34)
Nenê (10)
J.R. Smith (4)
Time Warner Cable Arena 14,127
16–6
23
December 10
@ Pistons
L 99–101
Carmelo Anthony (40)
Nenê (11)
Ty Lawson (4)
The Palace of Auburn Hills 17,176
16–7
24
December 12
Suns
W 105–99
Carmelo Anthony (32)
Chris Andersen (10)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Pepsi Center 19,155
17–7
25
December 14
Thunder
W 102–93
Carmelo Anthony (31)
Chris Andersen, Kenyon Martin (11)
Chauncey Billups (7)
Pepsi Center 16,022
18–7
26
December 16
Rockets
W 111–101
Carmelo Anthony (38)
Chris Andersen (11)
Ty Lawson (6)
Pepsi Center 15,753
19–7
27
December 18
@ Hornets
L 92–98
J.R. Smith (25)
Kenyon Martin (13)
Anthony Carter (5)
New Orleans Arena 14,453
19–8
28
December 20
@ Grizzlies
L 96–102
Carmelo Anthony (41)
Chris Andersen (14)
Anthony Carter (7)
FedExForum 13,385
19–9
29
December 23
Hawks
W 124–104
J.R. Smith (41)
Kenyon Martin, Nenê (8)
Carmelo Anthony, Anthony Carter (7)
Pepsi Center 19,155
20–9
30
December 25
@ Trail Blazers
L 96–107
Carmelo Anthony (32)
Kenyon Martin (14)
Chauncey Billups (5)
Rose Garden Arena 20,664
20–10
31
December 27
Mavericks
L 96–104
Kenyon Martin (18)
Carmelo Anthony (12)
Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony, Ty Lawson, J.R. Smith (4)
Pepsi Center 19,756
20–11
32
December 28
@ Kings
L 101–106
Carmelo Anthony (34)
Kenyon Martin (12)
Ty Lawson (6)
ARCO Arena 14,548
20–12 :
January: 12–3 (home: 8–1; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
33
January 2
@ Jazz
W 105–95
Ty Lawson (23)
Kenyon Martin (12)
Ty Lawson (9)
EnergySolutions Arena 19,911
21–12
34
January 3
76ers
L 105–108
Nenê (24)
Nenê (15)
Ty Lawson (9)
Pepsi Center 19,155
21–13
35
January 5
Warriors
W 123–122
Kenyon Martin (27)
Kenyon Martin (13)
Ty Lawson (8)
Pepsi Center 15,129
22–13
36
January 8
Cavaliers
W 99–97
Chauncey Billups (23)
Kenyon Martin (12)
Chauncey Billups (5)
Pepsi Center 19,996
23–13
37
January 9
@ Kings
L 100–102
Chauncey Billups (27)
Kenyon Martin (10)
Kenyon Martin (5)
ARCO Arena 14,411
23–14
38
January 11
Timberwolves
W 105–94
Carmelo Anthony (24)
Kenyon Martin (15)
Chauncey Billups (10)
Pepsi Center 14,669
24–14
39
January 13
Magic
W 115–97
Carmelo Anthony (27)
Kenyon Martin (10)
Anthony Carter (6)
Pepsi Center 18,475
25–14
40
January 17
Jazz
W 119–112
Carmelo Anthony (37)
Kenyon Martin (9)
J.R. Smith (5)
Pepsi Center 19,519
26–14
41
January 20
@ Warriors
W 123–118 OT
Chauncey Billups (37)
Kenyon Martin (14)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Oracle Arena 17,223
27–14
42
January 21
Clippers
W 105–85
Carmelo Anthony (28)
Kenyon Martin (14)
Chauncey Billups (6)
Pepsi Center 15,343
28–14
43
January 23
Hornets
W 116–110
Carmelo Anthony (30)
Kenyon Martin (14)
Chauncey Billups (9)
Pepsi Center 19,807
29–14
44
January 25
Bobcats
W 104–93
Chauncey Billups (27)
Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith (6)
Chauncey Billups (11)
Pepsi Center 16,909
30–14
45
January 27
@ Rockets
W 97–92
J.R. Smith (22)
Kenyon Martin (15)
Chauncey Billups (4)
Toyota Center 16,357
31–14
46
January 29
@ Thunder
L 84–101
J.R. Smith (19)
Kenyon Martin (9)
Chauncey Billups (7)
Ford Center 18,203
31–15
47
January 31
@ Spurs
W 103–89
Chauncey Billups (25)
Kenyon Martin (11)
Chauncey Billups (11)
AT&T Center 17,607
32–15 :
February: 7–5 (home: 4–2; road: 3–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
48
February 1
Kings
W 112–109
Kenyon Martin (24)
Kenyon Martin (12)
Chauncey Billups (9)
Pepsi Center 15,544
33–15
49
February 3
Suns
L 97–109
Nenê, J.R. Smith (15)
Kenyon Martin (10)
J.R. Smith (5)
Pepsi Center 19,155
33–16
50
February 5
@ Lakers
W 126–113
Chauncey Billups (39)
Chris Andersen (15)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Staples Center 18,997
34–16
51
February 6
@ Jazz
L 106–116
Ty Lawson (25)
Kenyon Martin (13)
Ty Lawson (4)
EnergySolutions Arena 19,911
34–17
52
February 9
Mavericks
W 127–91
Nenê (21)
Chris Andersen (10)
Ty Lawson (7)
Pepsi Center 17,485
35–17
53
February 11
Spurs
L 92–111
Nenê (20)
Nenê (9)
Chauncey Billups (7)
Pepsi Center 18,611
35–18
54
February 18
@ Cavaliers
W 118–116
Carmelo Anthony (40)
Kenyon Martin (17)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Quicken Loans Arena 20,562
36–18
55
February 19
@ Wizards
L 97–107
Chauncey Billups (28)
Kenyon Martin, Nenê (9)
Ty Lawson (3)
Verizon Center 17,212
36–19
56
February 21
Celtics
W 114–105
Chauncey Billups (26)
Kenyon Martin, Nenê (10)
Carmelo Anthony (8)
Pepsi Center 19,818
37–19
57
February 25
@ Warriors
W 127–112
Chauncey Billups (37)
Chris Andersen (11)
Chauncey Billups (9)
Oracle Arena 18,555
38–19
58
February 26
Pistons
W 107–102
Chauncey Billups (25)
Joey Graham (7)
Ty Lawson, Nenê, J.R. Smith (4)
Pepsi Center 19,845
39–19
59
February 28
@ Lakers
L 89–95
Carmelo Anthony (21)
Nenê (11)
Chauncey Billups (4)
Staples Center 18,997
39–20 :
March: 9–7 (home: 5–1; road: 4–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
60
March 1
@ Suns
L 85–101
Chauncey Billups (21)
Kenyon Martin (10)
Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups (4)
US Airways Center 18,159
39–21
61
March 3
Thunder
W 119–90
Carmelo Anthony (30)
Kenyon Martin (13)
Anthony Carter (12)
Pepsi Center 18,822
40–21
62
March 5
Pacers
W 122–114
Carmelo Anthony (34)
Chris Andersen (10)
J.R. Smith (8)
Pepsi Center 19,155
41–21
63
March 7
Trail Blazers
W 118–106
Carmelo Anthony (30)
Johan Petro (10)
J.R. Smith (7)
Pepsi Center 17,266
42–21
64
March 10
@ Timberwolves
W 110–102
Chauncey Billups (25)
Chris Andersen (10)
Anthony Carter (8)
Target Center 14,256
43–21
65
March 12
@ Hornets
W 102–95
Carmelo Anthony (32)
Carmelo Anthony, Nenê (12)
Chauncey Billups (7)
New Orleans Arena 17,220
44–21
66
March 13
@ Grizzlies
W 125–108
J.R. Smith (30)
Carmelo Anthony, Arron Afflalo (6)
Anthony Carter (7)
FedExForum 17,023
45–21
67
March 15
@ Rockets
L 123–125
Carmelo Anthony (45)
Carmelo Anthony, Nenê, Johan Petro (10)
Nenê (5)
Toyota Center 16,369
45–22
68
March 16
Wizards
W 97–87
Carmelo Anthony (29)
Carmelo Anthony (12)
Anthony Carter, Nenê (4)
Pepsi Center 17,447
46–22
69
March 18
Hornets
W 93–80
Carmelo Anthony (26)
Carmelo Anthony (18)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Pepsi Center 19,155
47–22
70
March 20
Bucks
L 97–102
Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups (29)
Chris Andersen (12)
Anthony Carter (4)
Pepsi Center 19,390
47–23
71
March 23
@ Knicks
L 104–109
Carmelo Anthony (36)
Chris Andersen, Joey Graham, Nenê (7)
Chauncey Billups (6)
Madison Square Garden 19,763
47–24
72
March 24
@ Celtics
L 99–113
Carmelo Anthony (32)
Chris Andersen, Chauncey Billups (7)
Chauncey Billups (6)
TD Banknorth Garden 18,624
47–25
73
March 26
@ Raptors
W 97–96
Carmelo Anthony (25)
Nenê (9)
Nenê (6)
Air Canada Centre 19,800
48–25
74
March 28
@ Magic
L 97–103
Carmelo Anthony (26)
Carmelo Anthony, Arron Afflalo (8)
Chauncey Billups (5)
Amway Arena 17,461
48–26
75
March 29
@ Mavericks
L 93–109
J.R. Smith (27)
Carmelo Anthony (9)
Chauncey Billups (6)
American Airlines Center 20,085
48–27 :
April: 5–2 (home: 4–1; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
76
April 1
Trail Blazers
W 109–92
Carmelo Anthony (25)
Chris Andersen (6)
Chauncey Billups (6)
Pepsi Center 19,155
49–27
77
April 3
Clippers
W 98–90
Carmelo Anthony (24)
Arron Afflalo (9)
Chauncey Billups (6)
Pepsi Center 19,155
50–27
78
April 7
@ Thunder
W 98–94
Chauncey Billups (29)
Nenê (13)
Chauncey Billups (4)
Ford Center 18,332
51–27
79
April 8
Lakers
W 98–96
Carmelo Anthony (31)
Chris Andersen, Nenê, Johan Petro (7)
Chauncey Billups (6)
Pepsi Center 20,044
52–27
80
April 10
Spurs
L 85–104
Chauncey Billups (27)
Kenyon Martin (10)
Chauncey Billups, Ty Lawson, J.R. Smith (3)
Pepsi Center 19,155
52–28
81
April 12
Grizzlies
W 123–101
J.R. Smith (26)
Arron Afflalo (13)
Chauncey Billups (7)
Pepsi Center 19,155
53–28
82
April 13
@ Suns
L 101–123
Carmelo Anthony (29)
Carmelo Anthony (6)
Ty Lawson (5)
US Airways Center 18,422
53–29 :
2009–10 season schedule :

## Playoffs
### Game log

2010 playoff game log :
First Round: 2–4 (home: 2–1; road: 0–3)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceSeries
1
April 17
Utah
W 126–113
Carmelo Anthony (42)
Kenyon Martin (12)
Chauncey Billups (8)
Pepsi Center 19,155
1–0
2
April 19
Utah
L 111–114
Carmelo Anthony (32)
Carmelo Anthony, Nenê, J.R. Smith (6)
Chauncey Billups (11)
Pepsi Center 19,155
1–1
3
April 23
@ Utah
L 93–105
Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups (25)
Kenyon Martin (13)
Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter (3)
EnergySolutions Arena 19,911
1–2
4
April 25
@ Utah
L 106–117
Carmelo Anthony (39)
Carmelo Anthony, Nenê (11)
Chauncey Billups (4)
EnergySolutions Arena 19,911
1–3
5
April 28
Utah
W 116–102
Carmelo Anthony (26)
Carmelo Anthony (11)
Chauncey Billups, Nenê (4)
Pepsi Center 19,155
2–3
6
April 30
@ Utah
L 104–112
Chauncey Billups (30)
Carmelo Anthony (12)
Chauncey Billups (8)
EnergySolutions Arena 19,911
2–4 :
2010 playoff schedule :

## Player statistics
### Regular season

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3FG% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Carmelo Anthony | 69 | 69 | 38.2 | .458 | .316 | .830 | 6.6 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 28.2 |
| Chauncey Billups | 73 | 73 | 34.1 | .418 | .386 | .910 | 3.1 | 5.6 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 19.5 |
| J.R. Smith | 75 | 0 | 27.8 | .414 | .338 | .706 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 15.4 |
| Nenê | 82 | 82 | 33.6 | .587 | .000 | .704 | 7.6 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 13.8 |
| Kenyon Martin | 58 | 58 | 34.2 | .456 | .276 | .557 | 9.4 | 1.9 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 11.5 |
| Arron Afflalo | 82 | 75 | 27.1 | .465 | .434 | .735 | 3.1 | 1.7 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 8.8 |
| Ty Lawson | 65 | 8 | 20.3 | .515 | .410 | .757 | 1.9 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 8.3 |
| Chris Andersen | 76 | 0 | 22.3 | .566 | .000 | .695 | 6.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 5.9 |
| Joey Graham | 63 | 18 | 12.0 | .520 | .154 | .740 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 4.2 |
| Johan Petro | 36 | 16 | 12.1 | .535 | .000 | .667 | 3.6 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 3.4 |
| Anthony Carter | 54 | 7 | 15.9 | .420 | .270 | .846 | 1.6 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 3.3 |
| Malik Allen | 51 | 3 | 8.9 | .397 | .167 | .923 | 1.6 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 2.1 |
| Renaldo Balkman | 13 | 1 | 7.0 | .333 | .000 | .333 | 1.8 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.1 |

### Playoffs

| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Arron Afflalo | 6 | 6 | 20.0 | .625 | .429 | .818 | 2.0 | 1.2 | .2 | .3 | 9.2 |
| Malik Allen | 4 | 0 | 2.8 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .8 | .0 | .2 | .0 | .0 |
| Chris Andersen | 6 | 0 | 19.3 | .529 | .000 | .643 | 4.5 | .2 | .2 | 1.0 | 4.5 |
| Carmelo Anthony | 6 | 6 | 42.3 | .464 | .316 | .877 | 8.5 | 3.2 | 2.0 | .5 | 30.7 |
| Renaldo Balkman | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| Chauncey Billups | 6 | 6 | 34.5 | .446 | .355 | .881 | 2.3 | 6.3 | 1.0 | .5 | 20.6 |
| Anthony Carter | 1 | 0 | 7.0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .0 | 3.0 | .0 | .0 | .0 |
| Joey Graham | 4 | 0 | 7.3 | .588 | .333 | .600 | 2.5 | .0 | .5 | .2 | 6.0 |
| Ty Lawson | 6 | 6 | 19.7 | .429 | .400 | .684 | 1.3 | 2.7 | 1.0 | .0 | 7.8 |
| Kenyon Martin | 6 | 6 | 34.2 | .480 | .000 | .632 | 8.3 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.2 | 10.0 |
| Nenê | 5 | 5 | 33.8 | .621 | .000 | .583 | 5.8 | 2.2 | 1.2 | .2 | 11.4 |
| Johan Petro | 6 | 1 | 7.5 | .545 | .000 | .500 | 1.8 | .2 | .2 | .5 | 2.2 |
| J.R. Smith | 6 | 0 | 26.5 | .368 | .355 | .875 | 3.8 | 1.7 | .7 | .3 | 11.2 |

## Awards, records and milestones
### Awards
#### Week/Month

* Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Tuesday, Oct. 27 through Sunday, Nov. 1.
* Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Month for games played during the month of November.
* Carmelo Anthony was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Jan. 11 through Sunday, Jan. 17.
* Chauncey Billups was named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played from Monday, Jan. 18 through Sunday, Jan. 24.

#### All-Star

* Carmelo Anthony was voted as an NBA Western Conference All-Star starter.
* Chauncey Billups was named to the NBA Western Conference All-Star team as a replacement for Chris Paul. Billups finished in 3rd place in the 3-point contest.

#### Season

* Carmelo Anthony was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

## Transactions

| Denver Nuggets | Players Added Via Draft Sergio Llull Via Trade Ty Lawson (From Timberwolves) Arron Afflalo (From Pistons) Walter Sharpe (From Pistons) Malik Allen (From Bucks) Via Free Agency Chris Andersen (Re-signed) | Players Lost Via Trade Sergio Llull (To Rockets) Sonny Weems (To Bucks) Walter Sharpe (To Bucks) Steven Hunter (To Grizzlies) Via Free Agency Dahntay Jones (To Pacers) Linas Kleiza (To Olympiacos Piraeus) |