PRO BASKETBALL — February 1

SACRAMENTO at DENVER
(Nuggets -11.5, Total 212) — [private] The Kings are losing everywhere these days; in the last 16 games the only wins they have to show for their efforts are against the lowly Golden State Warriors, and – surprise – these same Denver Nuggets, who went down to a 102-100 defeat at the ARCO Arena back on January 9, when Carmelo Anthony was not available. Interestingly, since that game, George Karl’s team has won nine of ten, including yesterday’s 103-89 win at San Antonio, which is just more evidence that the team’s on a roll. Okay, they didn’t get to rest all their starters, but that was an early game (noon Central time) and this Denver squad will not forget about that earlier meeting, nor the meeting previous to that, also at Sacramento, when Chauncey Billups could not be in the lineup. We caution that Anthony may not be in the lineup for this one either, as he’s nursing a sprained ankle, but Tyreke Evans certainly won’t make post for the Kings, and Sacramento has become reliant on his size at the point guard spot. Kevin martin has had 33 and 31 points in the last two games, but that hasn’t turned this team’s losing ways around.

THE PLAY: DENVER -11.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)
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