Nuggets finally using altitude to their advantage

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DENVER (AP) - The Denver Nuggets have long tried to use altitude to their advantage, and this season they finally have the type of team to take full advantage of the thin air.

With a starting five led by speedy point guard Ty Lawson and an energetic bench that only ramps up the pace on chest-heaving opponents, the Nuggets are 26-3 at home this season.

That's tied with the Miami Heat for the best home record in the NBA.

The Nuggets have won 11 straight at the Pepsi Center in their quest to catch Memphis for the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoffs, which would give them the home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.