HOUSTON — The Nuggets have the league’s attention, and now they want its respect.
The first-place Nuggets (26-11) entered Monday’s showdown against the Rockets riding a five-game winning streak. They’ve won 16 of their last 20 games, despite missing three starters for the majority of the stretch, and it’s the latest they’ve been in first since 1977.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni has maintained a healthy admiration for the Nuggets from afar, but he’s still conditioned to think the Warriors own the West.
“I think any time Golden State’s not at the top it kind of surprises you,” D’Antoni said at Rockets shootaround on Monday.