DENVER (Ticker) -- The Washington Wizards open up a critical five-game homestand Tuesday when they visit the surging Denver Nuggets.

The Wizards hold the fourth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race, just two games up on Cleveland and Chicago for homecourt advantage in the first round of the postseason.

Washington enters the trip on a winning note after stealing a 96-95 victory from Utah on Saturday. Gilbert Arenas ended an extremely physical game with two free throws with 2.3 seconds left.

Arenas finished with 22 points and Larry Hughes added 21 as the Wizards won for the third time in four games.

Denver has won three straight and 11 of 12 after a 114-103 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Andre Miller led the Nuggets with 22 points.

Denver has averaged 112.5 points through the first four games of its current seven-game homestand.

Miller finished with 34 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the Nuggets' 111-105 win over the Wizards on December 8.