Nuggets at Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs typically enjoy success at home against Denver and they attempt to record their ninth consecutive win over the Nuggets at AT&T Center when the teams meet Saturday. All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard scored 34 points in San Antonio's most recent home win over Denver — a 118-104 decision Jan. 19.
Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (knee) missed Thursday's 102-86 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers and the Spurs hope to have him back in the lineup against the Nuggets. Seven different players scored in double digits for San Antonio on a night in which veteran guards Manu Ginobili (two) and Tony Parker (one) combined for three points. Denver standout center Nikola Jokic (hip flexor) returned from a three-game absence to record his first career triple-double (20 points, 13 rebounds and a career-high-tying 11 assists) in Friday's 121-117 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. "I know that I'm playing good, and I'm helping the team win," Jokic said afterward.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FSN Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (22-27): Having Jokic back energized a team that is relying on him more and more and will look to him further with leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (groin) out for the second straight night. Denver coach Mike Malone said Gallinari won't be rushed back with forward Wilson Chandler (23 points, eight rebounds versus Milwaukee) playing so well and Malone also slammed a USA Today report that claims Chandler wants to be traded because of discontent with his role. "The trade deadline is right around the corner," Malone told reporters. "I think agents are behind a lot of that stuff, but Wilson has never said anything close to that. I laugh at that report, because Wilson Chandler is having a career year. So if a guy is not happy with his role when he's having a career year, that doesn't add up to me."
ABOUT THE SPURS (38-11): Center Pau Gasol (broken left hand) is making quick progress from his ailment and coach Gregg Popovich said doctors feel the 7-footer could return to action sooner than expected. "They tell me that maybe at the beginning of All-Star break, somewhere around there, maybe he can play a game," Popovich told reporters. "And if not, when we return, he should be able to. So, I'm guessing that probably after break, he'll be ready to go." San Antonio is 6-2 without Gasol, who is averaging 11.7 points and 7.9 rebounds.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Nuggets lost this season's first two encounters against the Spurs by an average of 21 points despite Jokic averaging 27 points and 11.5 rebounds.
2. Denver PF Kenneth Faried recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds against Milwaukee for his fourth consecutive double-double -- he's averaging 16.3 points and 13 rebounds during the stretch.
3. San Antonio veteran PF David Lee is averaging 12 points and 8.5 rebounds during Gasol's absence.