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Nuggets end lengthy homestand vs. Pistons

Mar 21, 2012 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - Here we go again.

The Denver Nuggets are expected to miss star forward Danilo Gallinari over an extended period of time for the second time this season after he suffered a broken left thumb in a recent loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Gallinari already missed 13 games bridging February and early March with a chip fracture in his foot, and is averaging 15.2 points and 4.9 rebounds this season.

Denver will begin life without Gallinari again when they close out a season- high nine-game homestand tonight versus the Detroit Pistons at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets also lost point guard Andre Miller to a separated right shoulder in a 112-95 setback to the Mavericks on Monday and he's expected to miss at least one game. Miller boasts averages of 10.1 points and 6.5 assists.

Arron Afflalo netted 24 points to lead Denver, which welcomed back Wilson Chandler on a losing note. Chandler, who signed a five-year deal worth nearly $37 million Sunday after returning from China, scored 13 points in reserve. Ty Lawson posted 11 points and six assists in defeat, and is averaging 14.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 8.7 assists in his last 10 contests.

"It was hard fighting from behind against a team that shoots the ball so well when they're playing so comfortable," Afflalo said.

The Nuggets fell to 4-4 on the residency and are 14-12 in the Rockies. They are seeded seventh in the Western Conference -- one game behind Memphis -- and will begin a seven-game road trip Friday against the Jazz, Timberwolves, Bulls, Raptors, Bobcats, Magic and Hornets. Nuggets guard Rudy Fernandez is questionable versus Detroit with a back issue.

Detroit will close out a five-game road trip tonight and is just 1-3 so far on the trek. It suffered its second loss in a row with Sunday's 87-83 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers and was outscored 13-9 in the extra session.

Greg Monroe had 23 points and 15 rebounds, while Tayshaun Prince added 20 points for Detroit, which had won three in a row before hitting the road. The Pistons fell to just 4-18 away from The Palace of Auburn Hills and is still last in the Central Division.

"We got to the moment of truth and now we have to learn how to finish," said Pistons coach Lawrence Frank. "We'll figure it out and we'll get better."

After returning home to host Miami, Detroit will exit Michigan again for four straight games against New York, Washington, Cleveland and Chicago. Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey had just seven points against the Clippers, but is averaging 23.1 ppg in his past nine. Stuckey is questionable for tonight with a sore left big toe.

Monroe has scored in double figures in 38 games this season.

Detroit and Denver are meeting for the first time since the Nuggets swept a home-and-home series a year ago. The Pistons have won 22 of the last 29 matchups with Denver, and these two teams have split the last 12 encounters at the Pepsi Center.