Given the opportunity to re-enter the game in the fourth quarter Wednesday night, Nuggets center Marcus Camby politely declined.

It hardly was an act of defiance. Camby was having too much fun watching Eduardo Najera frustrate and terrorize the Orlando Magic.

"It was more about how Eddie was playing," Camby said Thursday. "I definitely could have gone back in there, but Eddie was in such a good rhythm. He was giving us a lot of energy, passing the ball, hitting shots, making plays for us."

When Najera finally went to the bench with 47 seconds left, he received a hearty ovation from the appreciative Pepsi Center crowd. His final totals: 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting, five rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot in 24 1/2 minutes.

Such efficiency has been the norm for Najera. He has shot 37-of-52 (71.2 percent) the past nine games and is shooting a career-best 58.1 percent on the season.

The percentages mean little to Najera, who could make 10 shots or no shots and still be happy and productive. His most important contributions come while playing defense, rebounding, moving without the ball and setting screens for scorers Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony.

"He's somebody fun to play with," Iverson said. "He doesn't have a selfish bone in his body. He don't care about scoring or anything individual. All he thinks about is 'team.' "

In a season filled with chaos, Najera has been the one constant for the Nuggets. He has missed only one game because of injury and is averaging 6.7 points - which would match a career high - and 4.2 rebounds in 23 minutes a game.

Most important, he provides coach George Karl with peace of mind in a season that has been about as predictable as a roulette wheel.

"He's one of those easy guys. He's one of those no-maintenance guys," Karl said. "He's a basketball competitor that only plays the game for one purpose - and that's winning games. If he plays 5 minutes, he's OK. If he plays 45 minutes, he's OK. He just wants to do what is necessary for this team to be successful."

Najera never has played more than 43 minutes in any of his 327 career games, and don't expect that to change in the final six weeks of his seventh NBA season.

Historically bothered by injuries because of his Johnny Knoxville approach to personal safety, Najera never has played more than 68 games in a season. He hasn't made an impact for the Nuggets in April because of a broken right hand in 2005 and a broken right foot in 2006.

"I don't think there's any question that we worry about wearing Eddie out," Karl said. "He's had injury problems at the end of seasons, but right now, we'll cross our fingers and hope we're in a good place."

Najera worked hard in the offseason to prepare for the stretch run. He focused on strengthening his legs in hopes of avoiding knee problems that also have plagued him.

"It seemed like last year I broke down in the middle of the season," Najera said. "This year, I feel really good."

He also is enjoying the inner peace that comes with sustained success. Two years ago, Najera felt the need to prove his worth after being traded for the second time in six months.

"It used to be where I had to prove myself every year. Now it's just like I've earned that respect," he said. "Coaches and players around the league, they respect what I do and they know what I do, so now I feel comfortable and confident."

It appears the Nuggets (28-28) are starting to share those feelings. They take a two-game win streak into tonight's game against Houston. A win would move the Nuggets to 5 1/2 games of the Rockets, who are fifth in the Western Conference.

"I think everybody's frustrated in terms of winning," Najera said. "We were expecting more wins this year and we really haven't delivered. We really haven't played the way we're capable."

Don't blame Najera. His hustle and effort have not wavered all season. If he's not filling the lane on the fast break, he's chasing down rebounds and diving for loose balls.

"That's why I'm still in the NBA," he said. "I can't get away from that. Probably when I stop doing that, I'll be out of here."

Rockets at Nuggets

• When: 8:30 tonight.

• Where: Pepsi Center.

• TV/radio: Altitude, ESPN; KKFN-AM (950).

• Starting lineups

Houston (35-22) Pos. Ht. Pts.

31 Shane Battier F 6-8 10.6

5 Juwan Howard F 6-9 10.1

55 Dikembe Mutombo C 7-2 3.5

1 Tracy McGrady G 6-8 24.5

12 Rafer Alston G 6-2 13.7

Coach: Jeff Van Gundy Denver (28-28) Pos. Ht. Pts.

15 Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 30.4

31 Nene F 6-11 11.2

23 Marcus Camby C 6-11 11.5

5 Yakhouba Diawara G 6-7 4.8

3 Allen Iverson G 6-0 28.3

Coach: George Karl

• Injuries: Houston - G Bob Sura (knee/back) and C Yao Ming (fractured kneecap) are out. Denver - G J.R. Smith (left knee surgery) and F Kenyon Martin (right knee surgery) are out.

• Notes: Former Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe was fielding several calls after the resignation of Portland Trail Blazers president and general manager Steve Patterson. Vandeweghe, currently an ESPN analyst, could be a natural candidate. "The only comment I want to make is I'm very comfortable with what I'm doing," Vandeweghe said. . . . Originally scheduled for 7 p.m., the game was pushed back 90 minutes when ESPN decided to pick it up nationally. . . . Iverson and Anthony spent about 20 minutes Thursday banking in three-point shots from the right wing. Iverson made six in a row off the glass at one point. . . . The Rockets were 7-18 when Yao did not play last season. They are 19-11 without the 7-foot-6 center in 2006-07. . . . It took every ounce of effort for Karl to remain calm after watching the Nuggets fall behind 13-2 on Wednesday night. "I was ready to take drastic measures - take all five guys out and bench them," he said. "Thankfully, I didn't." Instead, Karl called a timeout and the Nuggets went on a 10-0 run.

lopezaa@RockyMountainNews.com

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