Pacers at Nuggeets
The Denver Nuggets attempt to continue their long-standing series dominance of Indiana when they host the struggling Pacers on Saturday. Denver routed Indiana 108-87 in Indianapolis on Nov. 14 and has won 16 of the past 20 meetings. Both teams played the Los Angeles Clippers in their most-recent game, with the Pacers losing 102-100 on the road Wednesday and the Nuggets prevailing 109-106 at home Friday.
Indiana has lost seven consecutive road games for its longest such skid since losing nine in a row during the 2010-11 campaign. Overall, the Pacers have lost nine of their last 10 games as they badly miss injured All-Star Paul George. Denver halted a three-game skid with its win over the Clippers as guard Nate Robinson scored a season-best 20 points off the bench to lead the way.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, FSN Indiana, Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE PACERS (8-18): Starting point guard George Hill has resumed practicing and is close to a return after suffering a knee injury in October. Hill has found it tough to watch Indiana’s struggles and wonders if he might have made a difference when the team was undermanned. “As a player, you always wish that you’re in there battling with your team through that adversity,” Hill told reporters. “I hate that I missed (all these games)."
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (11-15): Point guard Ty Lawson had 14 assists in the win over Los Angeles and has dished out double figures in 13 of the past 14 games. Lawson is averaging 12 assists during the stretch and also has scored 20 or more points three times while playing top-notch basketball. Forward Wilson Chandler is averaging 17.7 points over the last three games and has been one of Denver’s top players this month.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Pacers have lost five straight visits to Denver.
2. Nuggets F Darrell Arthur (leg) missed Friday’s game and could sit again Saturday.
3. Indiana PG Rodney Stuckey has scored in double digits in eight straight games and is averaging 14.3 points during the stretch.