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Nuggets visit Kings are dismal loss

Dec 6, 2008 - 11:17 AM Denver (13-7) at Sacramento (5-15) 10:00 p.m. EST

SACRAMENTO, California (Ticker) -- The Denver Nuggets try to bounce back from their worst loss of the season on Saturday when they visit the slumping Sacramento Kings.

Despite six players scoring in double figures, the Nuggets endured a 108-91 rout by the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, snapping a three-game win streak.

Carmelo Anthony paced Denver with 16 points, but his point total was the lowest recorded by the leading scorer for the Nuggets in any game this season. The 24-year-old forward also committed a team-high seven turnovers as Denver lost by more than 14 points for the first time.

The 17-point drubbing was the biggest home loss since April 15, 2006 when they dropped a 100-82 decision to the Kings.

Sacramento hopes it can duplicate that past success at Arco Arena after it endured its seventh straight loss during a 99-94 setback against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.

Leading-scorer Kevin Martin returned after missing 12 games with a left ankle sprain and finished with 22 points off the bench for the Kings, who have lost 10 of their last 11.

However, Sacramento played without its second-leading scorer as swingman John Salmons missed the game with a thigh injury. Salmons, who is averaging 19.2 points per game, is expected to play against the Nuggets.