Road-thriving Nuggets prep for LaMelo Ball-less but trending Hornets

If the Denver Nuggets are feeling a bit invincible, it's understandable.

No situation seems too big for the Nuggets as they'll try to maintain their road excellence when they take on the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday night.

Denver is 10-2 in road games, winning its last nine games away from home.

"What we're doing right now on the road is really impressive," Nuggets coach David Adelman said. "It speaks to a veteran team, a professional team."

Denver will be aiming for a three-game winning streak after picking up road victories against the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.

The Hornets have a rare success to celebrate after winning at Toronto 111-86 on Friday night, marking the first time they've kept an opponent to fewer than 100 points this season.

Charlotte's task will be keeping up with another of the top teams in back-to-back games.

The Nuggets scored 80 second-half points Friday night to win 134-133 in Atlanta, rallying from a 23-point deficit. Nikola Jokic poured in 40 points, aided by 13-for-15 shooting on free throws.

Denver's offense is often off the charts. The Nuggets have scored 130 or more points in four of their last five games. In the last eight games, either Jokic or guard Jamal Murray have led the team in scoring.

But what the Nuggets can accomplish defensively will determine if they can repeatedly stand out.

"We have to have these defensive segments where we flip the game," Adelman said.

The downside for Charlotte is that guard LaMelo Ball left with another injury, playing just 12 minutes Friday night. He's been ruled out of Sunday's game with a bone bruise on his left ankle.

"In general, I would just say, when anyone goes down, I have confidence and belief in all our guys," Hornets coach Charles Lee said. "We know we can do it by committee. ... The group, I think, still has that belief and trust and confidence in ourselves collectively to be able to do it."

The Hornets relied on KJ Simpson to fill a bulk of Ball's minutes in Toronto. He came through with eight points, though the seven turnovers were a concern.

"He found a way to just keep competing," Lee said.

Several players pitched in with ball handling. Kon Kneuppel had a team-high seven assists to go with 21 points, and forward Miles Bridges became a facilitator as well.

The big boost for the Hornets off the bench came from Tidjane Salaun, who scored 21 points. Charlotte likes what he has to offer.

"Now that he's come back, he's recognized how important it is to, No. 1, defensively, give us a good presence there," Lee said, noting Salaun's time with the organization's G League affiliate in Greensboro. "Offensively just to continue to be a great connector. His off-ball habits have improved tremendously."

Charlotte stopped a two-game skid with the result in Toronto. The Hornets have won three of their last five games in what clearly has been their best stretch of the season. They're aiming for a three-game home winning streak Sunday night.

--Field Level Media