Spurs at Nuggets
THE STORY: After its 11-game winning streak ended with a thud, San Antonio finishes its nine-game road trip against fading Denver on Thursday. The Spurs, with four key players either being rested or injured, suffered a 137-97 loss at Portland on Tuesday. San Antonio won the first seven games of its annual rodeo road trip. The injury-riddled Nuggets, who have lost 11 of 15, dropped a 103-95 road decision to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSSW (Spurs), Altitude (Nuggets).
ABOUT THE SPURS (23-10): Coach Gregg Popovich rested Tim Duncan (19.9 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Tony Parker (19.5 points, 7.9 assists) on Tuesday, San Antonio's third game in four nights. Both will return against the Nuggets, but the Spurs still won't be at full strength. Manu Ginobili (strained left oblique) and backup center/forward Tiago Splitter (right calf strain) will be sidelined again. Both are expected to be out for two weeks.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (18-16): Injuries have ravaged Denver, which was 14-5 on Jan. 27. Leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (chip fracture in left foot) has missed the last nine games and could return next week. The Nuggets also played without Nene (calf injury), Ty Lawson (sprained left ankle) and Rudy Fernandez (back) against the Clippers. Nene isn't expected to play Thursday while Lawson and Fernandez are questionable.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. San Antonio's lineup Tuesday included rookies Cory Joseph and Kawhi Leonard and third-year player Danny Green. The three combined for 53 points.
2. Rookie Jordan Hamilton, forced into action because of Denver's injuries, scored 18 points and had seven rebounds against the Clippers. He entered the game with 28 points for the season.
3. The Spurs defeated the Nuggets, 121-117 in San Antonio on Jan. 7. Green led seven players in double figures with 24 points.