Rockets at Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets continue their drive for home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs when they host the Houston Rockets on Saturday. Denver will be without second-leading scorer Danilo Gallinari, who suffered a season-ending torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during a 95-94 win over Dallas on Thursday. Denver holds a one-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies and a two-game edge over the Los Angeles Clippers in the battle for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
Houston moved a season-high 10 games over .500 and remained one game behind sixth-place Golden State in the West after beating Portland by 18 points on Friday. Houston has lost six in a row to the Nuggets, including the first three meetings this season. James Harden has averaged 27 points in his last two games for the Rockets, whose magic number to clinch their first playoff berth since 2009 stands at two.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Houston, Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE ROCKETS (43-33): The Rockets played without forward Chandler Parsons (calf) and guard Carlos Delfino (illness) on Friday, but both could be available against the Nuggets. Second-year forward Greg Smith has started the last four games and proven to be a perfect complement to center Omer Asik. Smith had 19 points against Portland and continues to improve from the foul line. Smith’s emergence has allowed the Rockets to keep inconsistent forward Donatas Motiejunas in a reserve role.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (52-24): Denver has one of the deepest rosters in the league, but its depth will be severely tested over the next few weeks. In addition to Gallinari, point guard Ty Lawson is out for at least the next two weeks with a complete plantar fascia tear in his right heel. The Nuggets are hoping Lawson can return in time for the first round of the playoffs. With Gallinari out, look for Wilson Chandler and Corey Brewer to see more playing time. Brewer had a game-high 23 points on Thursday.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Nuggets have won 19 straight home games, one shy of their franchise record set in 1985.
2. Houston is 33-8 when leading after three quarters.
3. Denver is 31-3 when allowing fewer than 100 points.