When: 6 p.m. Monday
Where: Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City
TV, radio: ALT, 950 AM
Spotlight on Carmelo Anthony: The former Nuggets star has been at the center of recent debate, with outsiders wondering if he should come off the bench to assist a Thunder lineup featuring fellow all-stars Russell Westbrook and Paul George that hasn’t clicked during the first two months of the season. Anthony is coming off a forgettable return to New York, scoring 12 points (zero in the second half) on 5-of-18 shooting while adding five rebounds, one assist and three turnovers in the Thunder’s 111-96 loss to the Knicks.
NOTEBOOK
Nuggets: They are coming off a dramatic win over the Pelicans, a game in which scored 11 of his 19 points in overtime, standout center returned from a sprained ankle that kept him out for seven games and G League call-up started. … Denver is 5-11 in road games, including a 2-4 performance on its recent six-game trip. … has scored at least 21 points in six of his last nine games. He remains Denver’s leading scorer at 16.1 points per game, while adding three rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game (which ranked sixth in the NBA entering Sunday). … The Nuggets entered Sunday sixth in the Western Conference at 16-13.
Thunder: Its perplexing season continues, entering Sunday in the coveted eighth slot in the West at 14-15. Oklahoma City’s last six games have included wins against Memphis, Indianapolis and Philadelphia (in triple overtime), but losses to Brooklyn, Charlotte and New York (without star Kristaps Porzingis). … The Thunder entered Sunday ranked third in the NBA in defensive rating (101.4 points per 100 possessions) and leading the league in steals (9.9 per game). But it ranks 25th in offensive rating a 102.2 points per 100 possessions. … Russell Westbrook leads the NBA in assists (9.9 per game), while adding 22.8 points, 9.6 rebounds and two steals per contest. Paul George entered Sunday leading the NBA with 2.4 steals per game. … Starting center Steven Adams missed Saturday’s game against the Knicks with a concussion. Dakari Johnson started in his place.
