With Allen Iverson sitting out again, the Denver Nuggets look to avoid a fourth straight loss when they visit the Indiana Pacers on Friday.

Denver (23-24) has dropped seven of its last eight, including a 114-112 overtime defeat to New Orleans on Wednesday. The loss dropped the Nuggets under .500 for the first time since they were 3-4 on Nov. 15.

Iverson, who had sat out the previous four games because of a sprained right ankle, returned and scored 22 points on 9-of-21 shooting, but re-aggravated the injury.

"I can't help us out there like this," he said. "I tried as hard as I can tonight, but it just wasn't me. I couldn't move the way I wanted to move and I couldn't get to the basket the way I normally do. I felt at times like I had to settle for jumpers because I couldn't get there all the way."

An MRI on Thursday didn't show any structural damage, but he stayed home as the Nuggets headed on their two-game road trip. The team visits Milwaukee on Saturday.

"I think it is one of those things where I just came back too soon," Iverson said. "I couldn't be me on the basketball court. I am more effective being aggressive and going to the basket and making things happen."

Iverson could return for Monday's game against Golden State, but acknowledged he may be sidelined through the All-Star game Feb. 18.

Carmelo Anthony, who was picked by commissioner David Stern on Friday as an injury replacement and will make his first All-Star game appearance, did his best to help carry the Nuggets on Wednesday with 27 points, nine rebounds, six assists and two blocked shots. He did, however, throw up an airball with 2.9 seconds left in regulation and the game tied at 103.

The Hornets then took the lead 26 seconds into overtime and would never trail, with Desmond Mason hitting the game-winner on a putback as time expired.

The Nuggets are 8-12 since acquiring Iverson from Philadelphia at the end of December. He is averaging 26.8 points since his arrival.

Denver plays six of its next eight on the road, where it is 10-10 and has lost three straight.

The Nuggets, who have played without Marcus Camby the last two games because of a strained groin, have won five straight against Indiana (26-23). Two of those victories have come at Conseco Fieldhouse following nine consecutive losses in Indianapolis.

The Pacers have dropped their last two after winning six of seven. Indiana lost 103-102 to Seattle on Wednesday as Jamaal Tinsley, who led the team with 25 points, missed a drive to the hoop and desperation shot as time ran out.

"Tough loss," coach Rick Carlisle said. "We worked so hard to get the lead, then had a string of missed shots. ... The second-chance opportunities killed us. This is one we shouldn't have let get away."

The Pacers are also banged up. Leading scorer and rebounder Jermaine O'Neal missed Wednesday's game because of swelling from a bruise on his left knee.

The Nuggets beat the Pacers 121-101 on Dec. 2 as Anthony had 38 points to lead all scorers. O'Neal had 20 points and 16 rebounds in that contest, but is averaging just 12.0 points and 6.8 boards in 22 games against Denver.