Suns at Nuggets
THE STORY: The Denver Nuggets may be without three starters when they host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Nene (calf) will likely join leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (foot) and emerging big man Timofey Mozgov (ankle) in street clothes as Denver’s fast start has been wiped out by a rash of injures. The Suns began a run of three games in three nights with a 102-96 loss at Golden State on Monday after blowing a 12-point lead in the third quarter.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Suns), Altitude (Nuggets)
ABOUT THE SUNS (12-16): Phoenix’s bench could play a key role in the thin air of Denver. All five starters, including 38-year-old Steve Nash and Grant Hill, 39, played more than 30 minutes Monday, and a repeat of that – with a home game Wednesday against Atlanta – would be asking a lot. Coach Alvin Gentry may sit Hill and/or Nash against Denver. Rookie Markieff Morris has 28 points off the bench in his last two games after scoring 29 in his previous five. Phoenix, which had a three-game road winning streak snapped Monday, allowed 100 points for only the second time in its last seven games.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (16-12): Denver halted a five-game losing streak with a 113-109 victory at Indiana on Saturday. The Nuggets had the second-best record in the Western Conference at 14-5 on Jan. 28, but have fallen to seventh and suddenly find themselves in a playoff dogfight. Guard Arron Afflalo has found his shooting touch. A career .461 shooter, Afflalo is at .432 this season, but 16 for 27 from the field and 11 for 11 from the free throw line in his last two games. Denver begins a three-game road trip Wednesday in Dallas. Nene, who was battling a heel injury, hurt his calf against Indiana.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Phoenix center Marcin Gortat had 25 points and 12 rebounds Monday for his first double-double in five games after recording one in 15 straight contests.
2. The Nuggets are an NBA-best 7-8 when their opponent scores 100 or more points; the Suns are 2-9.