Nuggets without Faried and Arthur on Saturday

It's tough enough to play in the high altitude in Denver at full health. But doing so at less than 100 percent sounds impossible.

That makes it easy to understand why Kenneth Faried and Darrell Arthur are not trying to play through their respective illnesses for the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Both players will sit out as the team hosts the Charlotte Hornets, who also happen to be a little thin at the power forward position.

Faried is the more notable name, starting most of the team's games and averaging 11.9 points and 8.9 rebounds, but Arthur's impact will be noticeable as well, specifically on the defensive end.

Their absences will mean ample run for J.J. Hickson, Jusuf Nurkic and the recently-returned JaVale McGee, who admitted he's concerned about his wind returning home. It also represents an opportunity for the Nuggets to showcase McGee further as they try to convince the Brooklyn Nets to take on his $12-million salary for 2015-16 in a Brook Lopez deal.

Despite the thin frontcourt, the Nuggets remain five-point favorites Saturday.