San Antonio Spurs (48-34, seventh in the Western Conference during the regular season) vs. Denver Nuggets (54-28, second in the Western Conference during the regular season)
Denver; Saturday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
WESTERN CONFERENCE FIRST ROUND: Denver hosts first series matchup
BOTTOM LINE: The Denver Nuggets host the San Antonio Spurs in game one of the Western Conference first round.
The Nuggets have gone 34-7 in home games. Denver is fourth in the NBA with 52.2 points in the paint, led by Nikola Jokic averaging 11.8.
The Spurs have gone 16-25 away from home. San Antonio is 25-16 in games decided by at least 10 points. The teams meet Saturday for the fifth time this season. Denver and San Antonio tied the regular season series 2-2.
TOP PERFORMERS: Jokic leads the Nuggets with 10.8 rebounds and averages 20.1 points. Jamal Murray has averaged 4.7 assists and 18.5 points over the last 10 games for Denver.
Bryn Forbes leads the Spurs averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers while scoring 11.8 points per game and shooting 42.6 percent from beyond the arc. LaMarcus Aldridge has averaged 22.7 points and 10.6 rebounds while shooting 51.5 percent over the last 10 games for San Antonio.
LAST 10 GAMES: Spurs: 6-4, averaging 110.6 points, 46.1 rebounds, 25.5 assists, six steals and 4.9 blocks per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.5 points on 45.3 percent shooting.
Nuggets: 5-5, averaging 103.4 points, 44.2 rebounds, 25.4 assists, 8.1 steals and 3.3 blocks per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field. Their opponents have averaged 104.3 points on 45.3 percent shooting.
Nuggets Injuries: Michael Porter Jr.: out (back).
Spurs Injuries: Dejounte Murray: out for season (knee), Dante Cunningham: day to day (illness).
