Bulls host streaking Nuggets

Denver is tied with the Los Angeles Lakers for the sixth spot in the Western Conference playoff race, while the Bulls are No. 5 in the East.

The Nuggets play the second of a five-game road trip this evening. Carmelo Anthony scored 30 points and Denver tied a season-high with its fifth straight win, as Nuggets knocked off the New Jersey Nets, 94-90, on Tuesday at Continental Airlines Arena.

Allen Iverson finished with 20 points for the Nuggets, who won for the first time (1-21) when scoring under 100 this season. Marcus Camby registered 10 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots for Denver, which snapped a four- game skid against the Nets and won in New Jersey for the first time since March 26, 2000.

Denver is a respectable 15-14 on the road this season. The Nuggets will also visit Toronto, Cleveland and Detroit on the current swing.

Chicago has dropped two in a row and wraps up a short two-game homestand. Cuttino Mobley scored 25 points and Corey Maggette netted 22 to help the Clippers to a 103-89 victory over the Bulls on Tuesday at the United Center.

Kirk Hinrich had 29 points in the loss to the Clippers, while Ben Wallace finished with a season-high 19 points, 16 rebounds and seven assists for Chicago, which has lost two in a row after a four-game winning streak.

The Bulls are 25-9 at home this season. They are scheduled to visit the Indiana Pacers on Sunday at Conseco Fieldhouse.

This is the second and final meeting of the season between the clubs. On November 21st, J.R. Smith scored 36 points to lead the Nuggets to a 113-109 win over the Bulls at the Pepsi Center.

Denver has won two of three and four of its last six at Chicago. A win tonight would give the Nuggets a sweep of the season-series for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.