The New Orleans Hornets are all but officially out of the playoff race, but they may get back all-world point guard, Chris Paul for this one.

New Orleans Hornets (33-35, 11th in Western Conference)
Denver Nuggets (46-22, 2nd in Western Conference)

NBA Betting Lines
Spread: Nuggets -6
Over/Under: 220.5
Money Line: Nuggets -250, Hornets +190

Paul has been out for over a month with knee surgery. Paul has been targeting this game to return, but he may still sit until next Monday. Darren Collision has been a revelation as his fill-in and the Hornets had managed to stay afloat for awhile in the west, however they now sit eight games out of the final playoff spot and look fated for a lottery pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Even if Paul were to play, the Nuggets have been playing lights out this season behind the stellar play of Carmelo Anthony (28.8 points; 3rd in the NBA, 6.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists) and Chauncey Billups (19.9 points, 5.7 assists, 41% 3PT) and look to make that next leap this season after falling in the Western Conference finals last year to the Lakers. Denver currently sits four games behind LA in the standings. The Hornets will not be able to take the Nuggets out in Denver if Paul plays or he doesn’t as I’d worry about the altitude affecting his conditioning.

Final: Nuggets 115 - Hornets 104. Take the Nuggets -6.