NBA schedule 2013: Packed schedule includes Carmelo Anthony’s return to Denver

One day after Dwight Howard made his return to Orlando, Carmelo Anthony will be making his first trip back to Denver when the Knicks visit the Nuggets on a busy Wednesday in the NBA.

Anthony will be a little banged up in his return to the city where he blossomed into an NBA superstar. He recently sat out three games with a knee injury and struggled in his return to the court on Monday, when the Knicks were blown out by the Golden State Warriors.

Despite the loss, New York still holds the No. 2 seed in the East, but just barely. The Knicks are percentage points ahead of the Indiana Pacers, who will be hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Considering the matchups, there's a pretty good chance the Pacers take over that No. 2 spot after the evening is over.

There are a host of other good games on the slate, including several that have a big impact on the playoff picture. The Los Angeles Clippers will host the Memphis Grizzlies as the two teams battle for the third seed in the West. And at the bottom of the West playoff picture, the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz are all in action. The Lakers currently hold the No. 8 spot in the conference, half a game ahead of the Jazz and half a game behind the Rockets.

Milwaukee Bucks at Washington Wizards, 7 p.m.

Miami Heat at Philadelphia 76ers, 7 p.m.

Toronto Raptors at Boston Celtics, 7:30 p.m.

Los Angeles Lakers at Atlanta Hawks, 7:30 p.m.

Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets, 8 p.m.

Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m.

Chicago Bulls at Sacramento Kings, 10 p.m.

Detroit Pistons at Golden State Warriors, 10:30 p.m.

New York Knicks at Denver Nuggets, 10:30 p.m.