The challenge was to take the tanking Rockets seriously. The Nuggets, with designs on securing the top seed in the West, did that and more.
Denver routed the Rockets, 133-112, on Tuesday night to improve to 44-19 and 16-15 away from Ball Arena. Their sixth win in the last seven games set the stage for a tantalizing collision at home against the second-seeded Grizzlies on Friday night.
Given what happened in Memphis this past weekend, not to mention the extra day off before seeing the Grizzlies again, rest assured the Nuggets will be better prepared.
But first, there was business to take care of.