Thunder at Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets look to defeat Oklahoma City for the fifth straight time when they host the Thunder on Tuesday. Denver held high-scoring Oklahoma City to 98 points in each of this season's first two meetings while limiting Russell Westbrook to a 14.5 average on 28.9 percent shooting.
The Nuggets have won four straight games after routing the visiting Los Angeles Clippers 123-96 on Sunday as they continue to put heat on the first-place Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference race. "We're coming out and doing what we set out to do and that's always great," veteran power forward Paul Millsap said after the win over the Clippers. "It's another game, another win. We'll take it. We're on to the next one. We'll continue to try to compound wins as much as we can." Oklahoma City is third in the West, three games behind the Nuggets, after suffering a disappointing 119-116 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday. Star forward Paul George had just 14 points on 4-of-19 shooting one night after scoring 45 points and making the game-winning shot in double-overtime in a 148-147 victory over the Utah Jazz.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT, FS Oklahoma
ABOUT THE THUNDER (38-21): George was unable to follow-up his heroic performance as his final-second, game-tying 3-point attempt against the Kings was off the mark but the 28-year-old didn't want to use being tired as an excuse after playing 50-plus minutes against Utah and 38 against the Kings one night later. "It was tough, but it's no excuse," George told reporters. "Back-to-backs are in this league for a reason." Westbrook had 41 points against Sacramento for this third straight 40-point performance and he has failed to record a triple-double in back-to-back games after setting the NBA record with 11 in a row.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (41-18): All-Star center Nikola Jokic (22 points, 16 rebounds) and Millsap (21 points, 16 boards) each had huge outings in the win over the Clippers as Denver posted a 56-38 rebounding advantage. The double-double was the 41st of the season for Jokic while the 34-year-old Millsap has put together three straight and is averaging 21 points and 14 rebounds during the stretch. "Paul found the Fountain of Youth or something," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters. "He's playing like a young Paul Millsap. He's flying around. We chart everything, Paul Millsap by himself, he contested 18 shots. His energy is infectious for all the other guys."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. George averaged 28 points and eight rebounds in the first two games against the Nuggets.
2. Oklahoma City F Markieff Morris recorded 10 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes against Sacramento in his second game with the squad.
3. Denver backup F Trey Lyles could miss his third straight game.