Hornets need a win against Nuggets

Denver is headed to the playoffs for a fourth straight year and has ripped off seven straight wins, including Wednesday’s 115-106 victory over the Utah Jazz in the opener of the trek at EnergySolutions Arena.

Carmelo Anthony poured in 32 points and Allen Iverson recorded 22 points and 12 assists for the Nuggets, who are 2 1/2 games ahead of the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference standings.

Nene finished with 19 points and eight rebounds, as Denver improved to 20-18 away from the Pepsi Center this season. The Nuggets will also pay a visit to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday.

Meanwhile, New Orleans/Oklahoma City has won two straight and five of its last six games. It registered a 103-100 overtime triumph against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday in the opener of a short two-game homestand.

David West scored 33 points, as the Hornets remained perfect (7-0) in overtime games this season by picking up a big 103-100 victory over the Clippers.

Devin Brown contributed 25 points and nine rebounds for New Orleans/Oklahoma City, which is a game behind the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference.

The Hornets are 24-16 as the host this season. In injury news for New Orleans/Oklahoma City, forward Cedric Simmons (ankle) and guard Peja Stojakovic (back surgery) are questionable against Denver.

Stojakovic, who is in his first season with the Hornets, is averaging 17.8 points in 13 games this season. The sharp-shooting Stojakovic last played on November 24th.

Friday’s matchup between the Nuggets and Hornets is the fourth and final meeting of the regular season. New Orleans/Oklahoma City is 2-1 so far in the series, but Denver has won seven of 10 and eight of the last 12 meetings.

Denver has won five of its last nine at the Hornets.