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Nuggets kick off homestand vs. Raptors

Mar 21, 2011 - 3:04 PM (Sports Network) - A return to the Rocky Mountains could be what the Denver Nuggets need to sharpen their game before the postseason arrives. The Nuggets will lay the groundwork tonight in the opener of a four-game homestand versus the Toronto Raptors at the Pepsi Center.

Denver lost the last two tests of a four-game road trip and finished 2-2 on the trek following Saturday's 103-98 loss in Miami. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade ended with 33 and 32 points, respectively, for the Heat, who sent Denver to just its third loss in 10 tries.

J.R. Smith scored 27 points, Danilo Gallinari netted 23 and Ty Lawson registered 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists in defeat.

"(Miami) just came out strong and hit every shot," Lawson said. "They are a good team with good players. It's tough to stop them when they are hitting on all cylinders like that."

The Nuggets are fifth in the Western Conference standings -- just one game ahead of Portland -- and 27-7 as the host this season. They are unbeaten in the previous six games at the Pepsi Center. Lawson is averaging 15.8 points, 7.9 assists and 3.8 rebounds in his last nine contests while Smith is posting 15.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.0 assists over his past 13.

Denver will also host the Spurs, Wizards and Kings on the homestand. Nuggets guard Arron Afflalo (hamstring) is questionable for tonight and guard Raymond Felton (ankle) is expected to miss Monday's game. Forward Al Harrington (Achilles) is doubtful.

The Raptors were able to put the brakes on a grueling 14-game road losing streak with Sunday's improbable 95-93 win at Oklahoma City in the opener of a five-game western road trip. Amir Johnson sank a hook shot with 1.4 seconds remaining in the game and ended with just five points to help Toronto capture its first road win since Jan. 5 at Cleveland.

"It was a pick-and-roll play, but he (Leandro Barbosa) was supposed to take it all the way to the basket," Johnson said. "They double-teamed him, he made a great pass and I was able to finish."

Andrea Bargnani led the Raptors with 23 points while Barbosa posted 19 off the bench. DeMar DeRozan contributed 16 points and eight rebounds for Toronto, which has won two straight and three of five games.

Toronto was able to improve to 6-17 away from Canada and will also pay visits to the Suns, Warriors and Clippers.

Denver handed the Raptors a 123-116 loss back on Dec. 10 this season at Air Canada Centre and have won seven straight and 12 of the past 13 meetings between the two clubs. Toronto is winless in its previous six games in the Rockies, last winning there on Dec. 30, 2003.