Chicago @ Denver preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 28, 2017 ) Denver 125, Chicago 107

The Denver Nuggets seem to struggle on the road but are winners of five straight at home and will begin a two-game homestand by hosting the NBA-worst Chicago Bulls on Thursday. The Nuggets could use a home game against a lowly opponent after getting blown out 106-77 at Utah on Tuesday.

"They did whatever they wanted," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters of the Jazz after Tuesday's loss. "We were completely outplayed. Just an awful, embarrassing night for the Denver Nuggets." The 77 points marked a season-low for the Nuggets, who average 112.1 points at home but just 100.5 on the road. The Bulls average an NBA-worst 94.6 points and were held below 100 for the fifth straight game in a 104-99 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday. Chicago is making a one-game trip to Denver before coming home to host the Sacramento Kings the next night and is looking for its first road win since a 105-83 triumph at Orlando on Nov. 3 - its only road victory of the season.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE BULLS (3-16): Chicago's season began with team turmoil when forward Bobby Portis punched forward Nikola Mirotic in the face, leading to a hospital stay and facial fractures for Mirotic and a suspension for Portis. Mirotic has yet to suit up for a game this season but attended his first game of the campaign on Tuesday. Mirotic, who has reportedly not yet spoken with Portis, began practicing with the team on Monday and is expected to practice with the team's G League affiliate along with point guard Zach LaVine (knee) while the Bulls are in Denver.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (11-9): Denver lost some veteran leadership when power forward Paul Millsap went down with a wrist injury that required surgery and will leave him out three months, and filling the void is proving to be difficult. "Somebody's got to step forward and kind of be a voice and get on people," center Mason Plumlee told the Denver Post after Tuesday's loss. "It just can't be from the staff. We've got to take ownership internally and deal with it. ... It has to change if we want to make this season worthwhile, it's gotta happen." Center Nikola Jokic, 22, is the young face of the franchise but is still growing into a consistent force and followed up a 28-point, 13-rebound, eight-assist effort in a win over Memphis on Friday with seven points in Tuesday's setback.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Chicago PG Kris Dunn scored a career-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting in Tuesday's loss.

2. Nuggets SF Wilson Chandler (back) sat out Tuesday and is day-to-day.

3. Denver took the last three in the series while averaging 116.7 points.

PREDICTION: Nuggets 120, Bulls 98