Rockets aim to burn Nuggets

Denver plays the middle contest of a three-game homestand. All-Star guard Allen Iverson posted 34 points, seven assists and five steals, as the Nuggets downed the Orlando Magic, 111-101, on Wednesday at the Pepsi Center.

Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points in the win over the Magic for Denver, which has won two in a row after a four-game losing streak. Eduardo Najera scored 17 points and Linas Kleiza netted 15 for the Nuggets.

The Nuggets are 15-15 at home this season. They are scheduled to host the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Tuesday in the finale of the current stand.

Houston enters tonight’s game on a two-game losing streak. Rookie Andrea Bargnani scored 20 points to lead a balanced Toronto attack as the Raptors downed the Rockets, 106-90, on Wednesday at the Toyota Center.

All-Star Tracy McGrady returned after missing a game with flu-like symptoms to score 22 points in the loss for the Rockets, who have dropped four of their last six games overall. Shane Battier netted 16 points, while Rafer Alston contributed 12 points in defeat.

The Rockets are a respectable 15-13 on the road this season. Houston will host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday at the Toyota Center.

This is the third and final meeting of the regular season between the squads. The teams split the previous two contests, as both clubs picked up a win on the road.

Houston has won two straight and three of its last four at Denver.