Saturday's NBA Guide: Encore? Hornets in Denver, Sixers Visit Spurs

FanHouse's NBA Guide gives you a daily look at all the games that matter ... and some that don't.

The night after every team in the league played ball, half the association is back at it. Tired legs, burnt up hearts? We'll see ...

HEADLINER
New Orleans at Denver, 9PM EST

Chris Paul and friends thoroughly beat up the Blazers last night, and I'm not even talking about Tyson Chandler! Chandler and Joel Przybilla had a skirmish Friday night, seemingly instigated and heightened by Tyson's elbow. As such, no Chandler tonight. Ladies and gentlemen ... Hilton Armstrong!
Luckily for the Hornets, the Nuggets should also be gassed after a thrilling, high-tempo affair in Oklahoma City Friday. Nene played huge Friday, but N.O. probably isn't afraid of getting lit ablaze by him given the team's active, rotation-heavy defense. A greater source of consternation would Carmelo Anthony, whose scoring has reached the full tilt we expect and whose physicality should be a rough mark for any N.O. wing defender but perhaps James Posey.

UNDERCARD
Philadelphia at San Antonio, 8:30PM EST

The 76ers couldn't pull off an upset in Dallas last night, and an encore in San Antonio won't have Philly confident. But if there's ever a time to catch the still-old Spurs, a night after they played on the road in a fairly close game is the way to go.

Milwaukee at Charlotte, 7PM EST

The Bucks stomped the Cats in Wisconsin last night, and the switch of venue might not matter as much as you'd think. Milwaukee's defense hassled Charlotte's guards into tough shots all night -- the Bobcats shot 4-18 from three. Charlotte's offense is bad enough without a solid defense lining up on the other side.

Houston at Atlanta, 7PM EST

The Rockets got embarrassed in Toronto last night -- Tracy McGrady had four points in 29 minutes, and still had the third-best game among Houston's starters -- and won't want a rerun in the ATL. But the Hawks are good ... maybe great at home. There's obviously a path to victory for the Rockets, one of the deepest teams in the league. But the Hawks have the upper hand, which still reads so weird.

Sacramento at Indiana, 6PM EST

Brad Miller comes again, and he's actually playing well of late. Miller dropped 25/16 on Detroit last night. Kevin Martin's back, coming off the bench but playing upwards of 30 minutes and scoring 20 points every time out. The Kings haven't defended threes well all season, and Indiana shoots the Hades out of some threes. So, um, watch that.

New Jersey at Miami, 7:30PM EST
Minnesota at Chicago, 8:30PM EST