Amidst reports that they are in negotiations with the New York Knicks and the Minnesota Timberwolves to complete a three-team trade for Carmelo Anthony, the Denver Nuggets host the Houston Rockets on Monday night. The Nuggets are coming off a 113-100 over the Timberwolves on Saturday night. Chauncey Billups led the winning effort with 21 points and 13 assists. Melo added 25 points while J.R. Smith added 14 points and seven rebounds off the bench.
Several Nuggets are battling through injury: Chris Andersen, Ty Lawson and Nene. Andersen is expected to play tonight, though Lawson and Nene's statuses are unknown. Lawson could be out for some time due to a left knee strain.
The Rockets enter this contest on a two-game win streak with a road victory over the Utah Jazz (who beat the Nuggets on Friday) and an overtime win against the Memphis Grizzlies. Kevin Martin scored 31 points in the latter victory.
The Nuggets won their previous two contests against the Rockets, 107-94 in November and 113-106 in January. One last contest awaits the teams a week from today on Valentine's Day.