Nuggets Forward Carmelo Anthony Out With Knee Injury, Rajon Rondo Back in Celtics Lineup

After all the worries this week about the Celtics being shorthanded heading into Wednesday's showdown with the Denver Nuggets, it turns out the C's will be just fine. The Nuggets, however, have a big problem.

Carmelo Anthony will not play for the Nuggets at the TD Garden on Wednesday, sitting this one out with right knee inflammation. Denver will be without its leading scorer — Anthony has averaged 22.8 points per game this season.

Meanwhile, the Celtics are back to full strength. Both Rajon Rondo (hamstring and foot soreness) and Shaquille O'Neal (calf pain) are expected to play Wednesday at the TD Garden against the Nuggets.

Rondo will have to be tough as nails against the bigger, more physical Chauncey Billups. With Anthony out, expect the Nuggets' veteran point guard to become a focal point of coach George Karl's offense.

Here's a revised lineup card for C's-Nuggets:

Celtics
Rajon Rondo, PG
Ray Allen, SG
Paul Pierce, SF
Kevin Garnett, PF
Shaquille O'Neal, C

Nuggets
Chauncey Billups, PG
Arron Afflalo, SG
Gary Forbes, SF
Shelden Williams, PF
Nene, C