(My Sportsbook) - The Denver Nuggets hope to avenge their worst loss in more than a decade when they conclude a four-game homestand Monday by welcoming the New Jersey Nets to the Pepsi Center.

The Nets waxed Denver, 114-70, in New Jersey on February 7, the Nuggets' worst setback since a 107-63 loss to Portland on April 16, 1997.

Most recently, the Nuggets improved to 2-1 on their current residency on Saturday, when Renaldo Balkman scored 22 points and hauled in 11 rebounds to lead Denver in a 107-94 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Carmelo Anthony recorded 18 points and Nene had 17 with 10 boards for the Nuggets, who have won two in a row and improved to a solid 25-8 as the host. J.R. Smith had 17 points and Chauncey Billups scored 10 with nine assists.

The Nuggets also regained sole possession of first place in the Northwest Division after the Atlanta Hawks routed Portland on Sunday. Denver now leads the Trail Blazers by a half-game and the Utah Jazz, who also lost on Sunday in Orlando, by one full game.

The Nets, meanwhile, are fighting for their playoff lives but fell to a miserable 0-3 on a five-game road trip Sunday in Los Angeles. Steve Novak drained a three-pointer at the buzzer and the lowly Clippers stunned New Jersey, 107-105, at Staples Center.

Vince Carter had a season-high 41 points, seven rebounds and six assists for New Jersey, which has dropped five of its last six overall.

To make matters even worse, the Nets lost All-Star Devin Harris to a shoulder sprain in the third quarter. X-rays were negative, but Harris is doubtful for tonight's contest.

Rookie Brook Lopez added 14 points as the Nets fell to 14-19 on the road with the loss.

New Jersey, which has lost 15 of its last 19 on the road, will finish its five-game road trip Wednesday in New York and is now 1 1/2 games behind Milwaukee and Chicago for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.