Nuggets at Spurs
THE STORY: The San Antonio Spurs have proven to be nearly unbeatable at home and may have an extra weapon in the lineup on Sunday. Guard Manu Ginobili could make his return when the Spurs host the Denver Nuggets. San Antonio could use the extra scoring punch, as its games against the Nuggets have tended to get well past 100 points. The Spurs tuned up with a thorough dismantling of the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday and should be well-rested. The Nuggets lead the NBA in scoring offense and will be looking for their first three-game winning streak since January.
TV: 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN, ALT (Denver), FSSW (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (20-17): Denver went 5-10 in February but won the last game of the month 104-95 over Portland on Wednesday and began March in similar fashion with a 117-105 triumph at Houston. The Nuggets are at their best when they are pushing the tempo, and point guard Ty Lawson ended up with 15 assists Friday as they scored 19 fast-break points and got a series of easy baskets. Lawson missed a 114-99 home loss to the Spurs on Feb. 23, but ran up 20 points and 10 assists in a 121-117 loss in San Antonio on Jan. 7. Denver is still dealing with several injuries, and Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and Nene (calf) are not expected back until next week.
ABOUT THE SPURS (25-11): San Antonio is in the midst of a seven-game homestand. After dropping the first game of the string to the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday, the Spurs made up for it against the Bobcats. None of the starters reached 30 minutes and the bench scored 51 points in the 102-72 victory. San Antonio has averaged 111.8 points in winning seven of its last eight games against the Nuggets. DeJaun Blair had his way on the inside last time, piling up 28 points and 12 rebounds against the depleted Denver front line. Ginobili practiced on Saturday and will be a game-time decision.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Ginobili has averaged 14.4 points in 27 career games against the Nuggets.
2. Denver G Rudy Fernandez (back) could return Sunday.
3. San Antonio has won 13 of its last 15 games overall.