Nuggets closing in on Northwest crown

On Wednesday, the streaking San Antonio Spurs begin an important five-game road trip when they visit the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. It is the fourth and final meeting of the season between San Antonio and Denver. The Spurs won the three previous contests and have won eight of the last 10 meetings overall in this series.

San Antonio has won three of its last four at Denver.

The Nuggets attempt to win back-to-back games as they play the first of a brief two-game homestand against the Spurs. On Saturday, Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points and dished out seven assists as Denver knocked off the Hornets, 109-94, at New Orleans Arena.

Andre Miller and Kenyon Martin each netted 17 in the win over the Hornets for the Nuggets, who finished 5-2 on their seven-game road trip. Greg Buckner scored 19 points, while Reggie Evans collected 16 rebounds for the Nuggets, who have won seven of their last nine games overall.

Denver, which is scheduled to host the Seattle SuperSonics on Friday, is a solid 21-12 at home this season.

The Nuggets are scheduled to play eight of their final 14 games at the Pepsi Center. Besides San Antonio and Seattle, they will also host Utah, Minnesota, the Lakers, Golden State, Sacramento and Houston.

Anthony leads the Nuggets in scoring (26.5 ppg). The Syracuse product has scored at least 28 points in five straight contests and is averaging 32.6 points per game in that span.