DENVER -- The Nuggets eliminated New Orleans from the playoffs with a nail-biting road win Tuesday, and now the Pelicans can return the favor to Denver on Friday night at Pepsi Center.
The Nuggets' 134-131 win in New Orleans earlier in the week left Denver on the brink of tying Portland for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. The Trail Blazers lost at Utah that night, pulling Denver within a half-game of the final playoff spot, but a 110-104 loss in Houston on Wednesday was a dagger to the Nuggets' postseason dreams.
After Portland beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-98 on Thursday, the Blazers (39-40) hold a 1 1/2-game lead on the Nuggets (37-41).