Nuggets at Rockets
THE STORY: The Houston Rockets look like a playoff team while the Denver Nuggets are starting to resemble one again. Houston, which hosts Denver on Friday, has won four of its last five games, including three straight prior to the All-Star break. The Nuggets are still missing their two best players – plus a key reserve – so the time off got them that much closer to becoming healthy again. The Rockets have won three straight meetings.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, Altitude (Nuggets), FS Houston (Rockets)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (19-17): Coach George Karl said leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and top rebounder Nene (calf) could return this weekend or early next week. In addition, backup guard Rudy Fernandez (back) may be available as soon as Friday. Point guard Ty Lawson, who missed the final two games before the break with an ankle injury, had 18 points and nine rebounds in Denver’s 104-95 victory over Portland on Wednesday. The Nuggets, who lost five of six prior to the break, begin a season-high nine-game homestand Monday following their game at San Antonio on Monday.
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (21-15): Houston is in the middle a five-team pack separated by 1 1/2 games in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. The Rockets lost 104-83 at Utah on Wednesday following an 88-85 victory over Toronto on Tuesday. Kevin Martin, who leads Houston with 17.5 points per game, is 5 for 25 from the field - including 1 for 10 from 3-point range - in the two games following the break. Luis Scola recorded his third consecutive double-double Wednesday despite sitting out the fourth quarter. Scola had 25 points and eight rebounds in Houston’s 99-90 victory at Denver on Feb. 6.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Nuggets are 2-8 against the Southwest Division.
2. Houston has been outrebounded in its last eight games, including 50-34 Wednesday.
3. The under is 5-0 in Houston’s last five games following a loss by more than 10 points; the under is 4-0 in Denver’s last four games following a win.