If stakes were higher, Barea would play vs. Nuggets -- but caution is wise in this instance

DENVER - J.J. Barea is having a career season at the age of 33, but it's inevitable that a long season takes a toll on anyone's body.

Barea suffered a left oblique injury in Friday's loss at home to Portland and was ruled out of Saturday's visit to the Denver Nuggets.

"It's not bad," Barea said. But better to rest it for a night. I'm kind of bummed because I usually play good here."

Barea and coach Rick Carlisle said that if the stakes were higher, Barea might be able to fight through the injury that makes it painful to laugh, cough, sneeze or do anything else that strains the midsection.

"We're having some bad luck with injuries," Carlisle said. "I hope it's a one-nighter. It happened on a…