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Winning streaks collide as Nets host Nuggets

Feb 7, 2009 - 1:06 PM Denver (34-16) at New Jersey (23-27) 7:30 p.m. EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- In danger of falling out of the playoff race, the New Jersey Nets have righted the ship over the last few days . They face a stiff test, however, as they try to extend their winning streak to four games.

Now just percentage points behind the suddenly injury-riddled Milwaukee Bucks for the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference, the Nets play host to the Northwest-leading Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

Denver is even hotter than New Jersey. The Nuggets have won four in a row and seven of eight to retain their stranglehold on one of the top three spots in the West.

They survived a scare on Wednesday night without All-Star point guard Chauncey Billups and forward Kenyon Martin, as they were taken to the brink by the lowly Oklahoma City Thunder, eventually prevailing, 114-113. With Billups back on board, they routed the Washington Wizards, 124-103, on Friday.

Denver scored 68 points in the first half to storm ahead and never looked back. Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points to lead the way and Billups added 16 in his return from a sprained right ankle.

The Nets have put together consecutive wins over the 76ers, Bucks and Wizards, but face one of their toughest stretches of the season. Over the next four days, they will face three of the league's top teams - Denver followed by meetings with Orlando and San Antonio.