Knicks at Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets switched up their starting lineup, got a little healthier and found some extra offense in an impressive win on Thursday. Gary Harris and company will try to keep the momentum going when they host the New York Knicks on Saturday.
Harris returned from a 16-game absence due to a foot injury on Thursday and Denver used the opportunity to overhaul the starting five, with Nikola Jokic and Wilson Chandler joining Harris, Danilo Gallinari and Emmanuel Mudiay in the opening lineup. "It was good," Harris told reporters after the Nuggets reached a season high in points in the 132-120 victory. "It definitely worked for us. The main thing is we came out with a lot of energy." The Knicks displayed less energy while playing without Carmelo Anthony (shoulder) and Derrick Rose (back) in Thursday's 103-90 setback at Golden State, and both are questionable as the team tries to avoid a three-game slide on Saturday. Anthony, who enjoyed the first 7 1/2 seasons of his career in Denver, was 7-of-31 from the floor in two games prior to taking a rest on Thursday.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (14-12): New York's starting five was slightly less productive than Denver's on Thursday, when only Brandon Jennings (10 points on 4-of-13 shooting) scored in double figures. Second-year stud Kristaps Porzingis is enjoying a strong season while averaging 20.1 points but was unprepared for a Golden State defensive effort geared to stop him with Anthony out and ended up with eight points on 4-of-13 shooting. "Games like this - I got to watch film and prepare next time for defenses like this," Porzingis told reporters. "The defenses are going to get better if I continue to score the ball. That's how Melo feels every night."
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (10-16): Harris was strong in his return with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting and a team-high six assists in 32 minutes as every member of the starting five scored in double figures on Thursday. Gallinari led the way with a season-high 27 points and hit three of the team's season-high 15 3-pointers as Denver matched Portland shot-for-shot and put the sting of a 2-4 road trip behind them quickly. "I thought we came out aggressive," Gallinari told reporters. "We had a good practice (Wednesday) and I thought everybody came out aggressive and we were sharing the ball and playing with great rhythm on offense and defense."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Jokic went 5-of-6 from the floor on Thursday and is shooting 69.6 percent in the last five games.
2. New York rookie G Ron Baker logged season highs of 13 points and 23 minutes on Thursday.
3. Denver took both meetings last season.