Nuggets start two-game road trip against streaking Bulls

The Denver Nuggets have lost three of their last four games, they sit just a game ahead of the now DeMarcus Cousins-less Sacramento Kings for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference and Nikola Jokic has yet to look like his pre-All-Star weekend-self coming out of the break.

The Chicago Bulls, on the other hand, are coming off of a decisive 117-99 over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. Jimmy Butler recorded a triple-double (18 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists) in the win over the Cavs and Dwyane Wade (20, 9 and 10) turned back the clock, finishing just one rebound shy of his own triple-double.

Regular season game No. 60 | Denver Nuggets (26-33) @ Chicago Bulls (30-29)

Chicago’s on Fire

The road doesn’t get any easier for the Nuggets now as they head out for a back-to-back set on the road in Chicago and Milwaukee. The Bulls, who traded away Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott at the deadline for Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow and former Nugget Joffrey Lauvergne, have won each of their last four games, including wins against each of the Eastern Conference’s top three teams in Cleveland, Boston, and Toronto.

The good news for the Nuggets is that the Bulls take on the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers in their next two games, making this a picture perfect “trap” game as Chicago prepares for an emotional swing through California. Also, Gary Harris will look to extend his hot streak as he has now shot at least 47 percent from the field in each of the last seven games, scoring at least 16 points in all of them, including 19 against the Grizzlies on Sunday.

Footnotes

Bulls newcomer Cameron Payne saw his first action since the trade deadline, logging 12 minutes and knocking down two of his three 3-point attempts. Lauvergne managed just two minutes and Morrow failed to see the court.

Nugget’s trade deadline acquisition Roy Hibbert has yet to see any action in a Nuggets uniform but should be available to play again Tuesday night.