Feb 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) drives to the basket against Milwaukee Bucks forward Luc Mbah a Moute (12) during the second half at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets (31-18) will put their seven-game winning streak on the line against the Chicago Bulls (29-19) on TNT Thursday night.

The last time the Nuggets won eight games in a row was back in January of 2010. Now with their high scoring offense and tough rebounding, they’ll look to make it eight straight once again. Danilo Gallinari is still playing great basketball and is now averaging 17.1 points for the season. He’s been leading the team over this stretch but he’s been getting loads of help. Just about everyone who’s stepping onto the court is producing for George Karl’s Nuggets. Ty Lawson is averaging 20.6 points, 7.4 assists, and 2.8 steals per game over the last five contests.

For the Bulls, the injury bug has come on strong. Carrlos Boozer, Kirk Hinrich, and Joakim Noah are all listed as day-to-day. With 3/5 of the starting lineup banged up, extra pressure has been added on Luol Deng and Richard “Rip” Hamilton’s shoulders. Deng is averaging 16 points and 8.2 rebounds per game over his last five while Hamilton is only averaging 7.4 points and 17.6 minutes in his last five. Marco Belinelli has stepped in and has averaged 11.8 points in the last five contests.

The Bulls play stingy defense, ranking 3rd in the NBA in scoring defense. The Nuggets, on the other hand, are 3rd in the NBA in scoring. It should be fun to watch these two teams go at each other.

Tipoff is set for 10:30 pm ET (8:30 pm MST) on TNT from the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Nuggets keep Afflalo

The Denver Nuggets are close to finally securing arguably the most important piece from last season. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, the Nuggets will lock up Arron Afflalo to a 5-year deal.

Stein tweeted around 6 p.m. Monday night,

Just going up on ESPN online: Sources say Nuggets and restricted free agent Arron Afflalo agree to five-year deal in excess of $43 million

According to Stein there are bonuses added to the deal that would help it reach $43 million. Afflalo will automatically be penciled in as the Nuggets shooting guard with Andre Miller, Rudy Fernandez and Corey Brewer all getting minutes off the bench.

Miller will get the starting nod at shooting guard on Tuesday when the Nuggets host the Phoenix Suns. Here is how Afflalo’s contract compares to other guards that signed contracts this season.  (more…)