Kings, Nuggets clash in Denver

Sacramento is No. 8 in the Western Conference playoff race and has a one-game lead over the Utah Jazz, while Denver is the Northwest Division champs and will be the third seed in the postseason.

The Kings suffered a bad loss on Tuesday at home. Raja Bell scored 25 points to lead the Phoenix Suns to a 123-110 victory over Sacramento at ARCO Arena.

Brad Miller poured in 23 points and collected 10 boards in the loss to Phoenix for Sacramento, which had a three-game winning streak snapped. Mike Bibby and Ron Artest netted 23 apiece, while Bonzi Wells contributed 18 points and Shareef Abdur-Rahim scored 16 in defeat.

Sacramento is 16-24 on the road this season. After tonight’s contest, the Kings return home to wrap up the regular season with games against the Hornets and SuperSonics.

The Nuggets will also try to rebound from a loss. On Wednesday, Carlos Boozer netted 25 and grabbed 13 rebounds, as the Jazz defeated Denver, 104-83, at the Delta Center.

Carmelo Anthony scored 18 points, grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists in the loss to Utah for the Nuggets, who had a three-game winning streak halted. Linas Kleiza ended with 16 points in defeat.

Denver, which will host the Houston Rockets on Monday, is 26-13 at home this season.

Sacramento has won two of the three meetings between the squads this season. The Kings have lost four straight after winning their last four at Denver.