NUMBERS GAME

4 consecutive summers the Nuggets, committed for 2007, will have played in the (Las) Vegas Summer League.

PLAYER SEARCH

Mike Higgins, agent for forward Louis Amundson, said Nuggets executive Mark Warkentien called about his client but only expressed about possible future interest.

Utah on Tuesday waived the former Monarch High School player, and Amundson has returned to the Colorado 14ers.

Higgins said about five NBA teams have expressed down-the-road interest.

Amundson is hopeful of another crack at the NBA but will "stop thinking about it" and just play.

Higgins said the Nuggets are looking at wing players because of J.R. Smith's recent left knee injury. Warkentien said no move is imminent, but, if the Nuggets were to add a player, it could be a "crusty locker-room type" veteran.

HOME SWEET HOME?

The Nuggets began a stretch Wednesday of seven of nine games at home. They close with 13 of 18 on the road.

"This is a stretch that's going to be a big key," forward Carmelo Anthony said. "We've got to start controlling our home court."

HE SAID IT

"I painted it myself. . . . Nautical blue."

Anthony, on his home's baby room, with his fiancee, La La Vazquez, due to give birth to a boy Tuesday.