Nuggets at Suns
The Phoenix Suns look to bounce back from a 48-point setback for the second time this season when they host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. The Suns were obliterated 129-81 by the San Antonio Suns on Wednesday and the 48-point margin equaled the worst loss in franchise history, set in this season's opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Phoenix is sliding in the wrong direction with four straight defeats and nine in the past 10 games and veteran forward Jared Dudley was highly dismayed over a second such annihilation during in one campaign. "I think it was an embarrassment for all of us out here," Dudley told reporters. "I think the fans definitely earned an apology for the display. It's definitely inexcusable." Denver also is fresh off a horrid beating as the Nuggets were steamrolled 130-104 by the Houston Rockets on Friday to see a three-game winning streak snapped. "We have to turn the page very quickly and get ready to go to Phoenix and try to get one (Saturday) night," Denver coach Michael Malone said in his postgame press conference.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Altitude (Denver), FS Arizona (Phoenix)
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (29-26): Denver allowed its most points of the season and was a horrific 3-of-28 from 3-point range in a loss so lopsided that Malone pulled the plug on his starters with 17-plus minutes remaining in the game. Five different reserves played at least 17 minutes and forward Trey Lyles scored 24 points for his third 20-point outing in the past eight games. Rising 20-year-old guard Jamal Murray will look to bounce back from a six-point outing after scoring in double digits in nine straight games, including three efforts of 30 or more points.
ABOUT THE SUNS (18-38): Phoenix star shooting guard Devin Booker (hip pointer) is listed as questionable and the team hopes to get him back from a two-game absence. Meanwhile, point guard Tyler Ulis (back) is questionable after leaving Wednesday's contest and center Tyson Chandler (neck) could miss his second straight game so the Suns could find themselves short-handed against the Nuggets. Trade deadline acquisition Elfrid Payton is expected to be available and Phoenix is looking forward to his services after struggling at the point guard position since trading Eric Bledsoe to the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this season.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Nuggets have won their last three visits to Phoenix.
2. Suns PF Marquese Chriss is 5-of-16 shooting in two games since returning from a one-game suspension because of a verbal exchange with coach Jay Triano.
3. Denver SG Gary Harris had eight points on 3-of-11 shooting against Houston after having 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting in Monday's 121-104 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.