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Nuggets, Rockets go at it in the Rockies

Feb 7, 2011 - 3:57 PM (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets hope to continue their stellar play at the Pepsi Center Monday when they entertain the Houston Rockets.

Denver is a gaudy 21-6 in the Rockies but a far more pedestrian 9-15 on the road although the club is coming off a solid 113-100 win over Minnesota in the Twin Cities on Saturday.

All-Star Carmelo Anthony, playing with a sore right elbow, scored 25 points in that one while Arron Afflalo added 22 points and Chauncey Billups scored 21 with 13 assists for the Nuggets, who won for just the second time in their last five games.

J.R. Smith finished with 14 points off the bench and Nene added 12 for the Nuggets, who also ran their winning streak at Minnesota's Target Center to eight games and captured their fifth straight victory overall against the Timberwolves, moving to 18-3 in the last 21 meetings.

"We passed the ball," Denver coach George Karl said. "I've always felt our team, when we pass, we play well. We have so many good scorers."

Anthony is expected to play tonight while backup point guard Ty Lawson, who missed the game in Minnesota with a balky knee, is questionable.

The Rockets, meanwhile, won their second straight game on Saturday when Luis Scola made a layup with 33.5 seconds left in overtime, lifting Houston over the Memphis Grizzlies, 95-93.

Scola ended with 17 points and seven rebounds for the Rockets, who have won the two in a row after a three-game skid. Kevin Martin chipped in 31 points and six rebounds. Martin made all 15 of his foul shots.

"It was just a great win. Our guys really got in and out," Rockets head coach Rick Adelman said. "Both teams played hard. We had a great possession there at the end when the game was on the line to get the ball. Kyle (Lowry) made a great heads up play but it was just a great win for us."

The Nuggets have taken four of their past five games with Houston, including a pair of meetings this season.