Nuggets try to rebound against Raptors

The Nuggets had their season-high five-game winning streak halted on Thursday in heart breaking fashion against Chicago. With Denver up one, the Bulls’ Ben Gordon got off a jumper with time winding down, and Tyrus Thomas was there to tip the miss in with just .2 seconds left to send the Nuggets to a 109-108 defeat.

Allen Iverson scored 31 points and Carmelo Anthony 28 for the Nuggets, who fell to 1-1 on a five-game road trip and dropped to 15-15 as the visitor this season. Nene posted 18 points and 12 rebounds in the loss.

Denver’s winning burst lifted it to seventh overall in the Western Conference, just one game back of the Los Angeles Lakers in the standings. The club is still a distant 9 1/2 games behind Utah for the top spot in the Northwest Division. Denver will also travel to Cleveland and Detroit on its swing.

Having taken their first meeting with Toronto this season in November, the Nuggets will try to sweep the season series with the Raptors for the third consecutive campaign tonight. Toronto’s last win against the Nuggets came on December 30, 2003 in Denver.

The Raptors managed to halt a two-game losing streak last time out when they topped Orlando, 92-85, for their fourth win in five home games. Chris Bosh was a force with 34 points and 16 rebounds.

T.J. Ford scored 16 points and tallied 12 assists for Toronto, which is fourth overall in the East and has a six-game advantage over New Jersey for the lead in the Atlantic Division. Juan Dixon finished with 15 points and seven boards in the win.

The Raptors are without rookie Andrea Bargnani after the forward underwent an appendectomy on Wednesday and is out indefinitely. Guards Anthony Parker and Jose Calderon are questionable for tonight’s game as both are suffering from ankle injuries.

Toronto is 24-10 at home this season and will next play in Boston on Monday.