Nuggets at Spurs
THE STORY: Many NBA experts predicted the Denver Nuggets would be a tough team to beat at home thanks to the shortened schedule and the effect the Colorado altitude has on visiting clubs. So far, those experts have been right - but the Nuggets know they can't be considered an elite club unless they impress on the road, as well. They'll face a major challenge Saturday night as they take on the host San Antonio Spurs, who have yet to lose a game in their own building this season. Denver has won its first four home games by an average of 14 1/2 points, but is just 2-2 on the road following Friday's 96-88 triumph in New Orleans. A win against the Spurs would go a long way in generating some momentum heading into a four-game homestand which begins Monday night against the Hornets. But a victory won't come easily against a Spurs side that has gone 5-0 at home, winning by an average of better than 16 points.
TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Altitide, Fox Sports Southwest
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (6-2): Things were looking bleak for Denver on Friday night as it managed just 41 first-half points against the Hornets. A 19-0 run spanning the third and fourth quarters turned the tide of the game, and the Nuggets held on from there to pick up their fourth consecutive victory. Denver was buoyed by the return of center Nene, who had missed two games with a bruised heel. he finished with six points on 2-of-7 shooting in just over 24 minutes of action.
ABOUT THE SPURS (5-2): The absence of star swingman Manu Ginobili (broken metatarsal) hasn't slowed down the Spurs, who have been getting some surprising offense from an unlikely source. Richard Jefferson, once thought to be an amnesty candidate, has scored at least 16 points in three straight games while hitting on 21 of 38 attempts from 3-point range. While that hot shooting isn't likely to continue, he has stepped in admirably to fill some of the void in Ginobili's absence.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Denver earned a 115-112 victory in their previous meeting last March 23, ending a five-game losing streak in the head-to-head series.
2. Spurs PG Tony Parker is off to a slow start, averaging just 14 points - 2.7 below his career average - on 40.5-percent shooting.