Three familiar faces enter Nuggets' starting lineup versus Portland

DENVER — The Denver Nuggets will field a completely healthy roster for the first time all season tonight as they host the Portland Trailblazers at Pepsi Center and will also begin the game with their 11th different starting lineup of the year.

After missing 16 games with a right foot injury, Gary Harris returns to Denver’s starting lineup, as does Nikola Jokic, who came off the bench in the Nuggets’ last 17 games after beginning the season at power forward.

As for Harris, his presence on the perimeter should improve the Nuggets’ 25th-ranked defense.

“As we all know, last year we put him on the opposing team’s best perimeter player most nights,” Michael Malone said pregame of Harris. “So just having a guy that really embraces the defensive end of the floor and the challenge. Hopefully, that’s a little bit contagious. I’m also kind of tempering my expectations because he’s been out for so long. I’m not expecting him to go out there and put the team on his back and carry us to a victory.”

Jokic, who is averaging 18.0 points on 67.5 percent shooting, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists over his last six games gets the start at center tonight. It’s Jokic’s first start at the five this year after beginning the season in the starting lineup but at power forward next to Jusuf Nurkic.

“Right now Jokic is averaging around 24 minutes a night. In my mind, I’d love to get him up closer to 30,” Malone said. “You look at his numbers, last six games on the road trip the guy is averaging ridiculous numbers, shooting a very high percentage, assists, just across the board. So I have to find more than 24 minutes, closer to 30, he has to make sure he stays out of foul trouble he has to be smart and disciplined with that. Good things happen when Nikola’s on the floor.”

Michael Malone wants to get Nikola Jokic around 30 minutes tonight and going forward (currently averaging 24) pic.twitter.com/BaQyAz9DSA

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 16, 2016

Wilson Chandler, who started two games earlier this year when Danilo Gallinari missed time with a thigh injury, steps into the lineup at power forward as well.

Harris, Jokic and Chandler will start alongside Emmanuel Mudiay and Danilo Gallinari.

“I hope for our starters to get us off to a great start,” Malone continued. “Looking at some of the numbers, when we win the first quarter we’re 6-3, when we lose the first quarter we’re 3-12.”