Rick Bowmer / AP

“It’s going to be good to be back with the fans that had supported me,” Pistons guard Allen Iverson said of returning to Denver. “I have a lot of good memories from playing there.”

Karl is looking forward to seeing him again.

“Thank you for the good 2½ years,” Karl said. “It seems like their team has turned a corner a little bit and gone in a good way. I think you’ll see two playoff teams go nose to nose, and I’m sure it will be pretty intense because I know what kind of competitor he is.

“I’m sure our guys will want to go after him, too.”

Some of the luster is off the matchup, however, with Anthony sidelined by a broken hand.

Although Iverson might not be emotional about his return to Denver, a city where he wanted to end his career after his bitter departure from Philadelphia, several of his former teammates are certain there will be extra juice in the arena:

• “It will be emotional for me,” J.R. Smith said. “He’s one guy that definitely helped me out. He helped me become the player I am right now. I was sorry to see him go.”
• “You know it will be emotional,” Carter said. “He was part of the family. I think he will get a good reaction when he comes back.”
• “I’m sure it will be great,” Martin said. “It’s the first game back after a trade, there will be a lot of emotion and energy in the building. We’ll put that aside and go after a win.

“I’m still loving him,” Martin added, “but there ain’t no love lost between us and the Pistons.”

Billups, who guided the Pistons to an NBA title and six straight trips to the conference finals, the longest streak in the NBA since Magic Johnson’s Showtime Lakers of the 1980s, is certainly eager for the reunion.

“I’m looking forward to seeing my guys. It’s going to be fun,” Billups said.

But he’s not out to prove anything about anybody giving up on him too soon.

“I’m good. I’ve proved everything I could in that city. I’m doing it now here,” Billups said. “I’m just looking forward to seeing my dudes, competing, playing, having a fun game. That’s all.”

Billups will get another chance to play in Detroit when the Nuggets visit The Palace in Auburn Hills on March 3.

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