Former Nuggets coach Jeff Bzdelik attended Memphis’ practice in Denver on Thursday to chat with Grizzlies head coach Mike Fratello and assistant coach Eric Musselman. Bzdelik declined to comment on his visit. Insisting Bzdelik did not come to help Memphis scout the Nuggets, Fratello added, “He came by to say hello. I would never put him in that spot. That would be very unfair of me to do that to him.’
BUCK UNCERTAIN FOR HOUSTON: Denver guard said he will be ready for the playoffs but will protect the broken bone in his right hand by sitting against the Grizzlies. He’s unsure whether he will play Saturday at Houston. “They say I can play, but if I whack it again I’m out for the whole playoffs,’ he said. Nuggets coach George Karl predicted, “I have a feeling if we win (tonight) he’ll be in the game in Houston.’ In other injury news, forward Nene has started practicing without the brace he has worn since spraining his left knee in March.
FOOTNOTES: The Nuggets remain mathematically alive to win the Northwest Division if they win out and Seattle loses its last four. That’s a reach, considering the SuperSonics’ next game is at home against New Orleans. Karl called passing the Sonics “a little unrealistic.’ Memphis needs just one win to clinch the final Western Conference playoff spot over Minnesota, but with a schedule that ends with two games against San Antonio and one with Dallas, Karl said he would consider the Timberwolves favorites if they hadn’t lost Saturday at Atlanta.
SPOTLIGHT ON LORENZEN WRIGHT
The Grizzlies’ center doesn’t get a lot of publicity, but he’s quietly had a strong year against Denver, averaging a double-double (12.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game) in three starts.
