GALLINARI COOKING AS ALL-STAR CANDIDATE

Now that the voting for NBA All-Star Game starters is done, teams will begin lobbying other coaches to select their players as reserves.

That includes the Nuggets, who will be sending out literature about their leading scorer, Danilo Gallinari, creatively done in the form of a restaurant menu. Gallinari appears in many pictures, one in a chef ’s hat. His statistics and other information about what he has done this season are on both sides of the menu.

Gallinari entered Thursday’s game against Memphis averaging a career-high 19 points per game along with five rebounds. He has been even better in January, averaging 24.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He is shooting 44.2 percent from the floor.

Coach Michael Malone has already stumped for Gallinari, saying if he keeps playing this well he should be an all-star. Gallinari said he has thought a lot about playing in the All-Star Game.

“I do,” he said. “It’s a dream, it’s a goal of mine for sure. It’s in my mind. Hopefully one day it will happen.”

Nelson update. Veteran point guard Jameer Nelson missed his third consecutive game Thursday because of a sprained wrist. He still has pain, which isn’t allowing him to dribble and pass the way he needs to at his position. “The wrist is still giving him trouble,” Malone said.

Nurkic update. Jusuf Nurkic was available to play Thursday against the Grizzlies, and did so. It was the 21-year-old center’s first action since missing time with knee and ankle injuries.

Nurkic said the time off was beneficial.

“I feel good,” Nurkic said. “My ankle feels good. I was supposed to play in the (Oklahoma City) game (Tuesday) but (didn’t) because of no practice time.

“Now, I’m ready to hoop.”