The Denver Nuggets have their backs to the wall in the Western Conference playoffs after dropping Game Four against the Los Angeles Lakers 92-88 at Pepsi Center last night. Danilo Gallinari’s 20 points weren’t enough as the Nuggets now find themselves trailing the best-of-seven series three games to one. Game Five in Los Angeles is set for Tuesday night.

The Colorado Rockies had a day off Thursday to enjoy their dramatic walk-off win in the series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tonight, they open the final three-game series of their nine-game homestand with the first of three tilts against the Atlanta Braves. The Rockies hope Wednesday’s 8-5 win can be the start of a streak, but they haven’t won consecutive games in two weeks. Guillermo Moscoso makes his second start of the season on the mound for the Rockies. He took the loss last Saturday against the Mets, allowing six runs in five innings. Atlanta’s Tim Hudson is also making his second start of the campaign. The veteran has struggled at Coors Field, posting a 7.77 ERA in his outings in Denver. ESPN Radio 1410 has the action tonight, with pregame coverage at 7:05 and the first pitch at 7:40.

The Big Ten Conference and ESPN announced that Nebraska’s regular season finale against Iowa in Iowa City will kick off at 11 AM and be televised nationally on ABC. The second annual Heroes Game will kick off on the day after Thanksgiving, November 23. Nebraska beat Iowa 20-7 last year in Lincoln to claim the Heroes Trophy in the first year of the game’s existence.

The Husker baseball team is hoping to get back on track on the road this weekend, as they open a three-game set at Indiana tomorrow. The Huskers have dropped three of their last five contests, including a doubleheader split against Cal State-Bakersfield in a non-league clash in Lincoln last weekend. They stand at 28-16 on the season and 8-7 in Big Ten Conference play, a mark that puts them in a four-way tie for fourth in the league. The Hoosiers are below the .500 mark overall at 22-23, but sit ahead of the Huskers in the conference with a 9-6 record. Freshman southpaw Kyle Kubat takes the hill for the Huskers tomorrow night as Darin Erstad continues his search for a reliable series-opening starter. Brandon Pierce and Zach Hirsch will follow in the rotation. First pitch for the series opener tomorrow night is set for noon.

The Husker women’s basketball team has added another scholarship player for the 2012-2013 season, as former Wahoo standout Sadie Murren will play her college ball in Lincoln. Murren, a Super-State selection as a senior and three-time Class C1 All-State pick, was originally committed to Wisconsin-Green Bay, but was released from her scholarship after a coaching change. Huskers head coach Connie Yori says she expects the 5’8” guard to make an impact right away. Murren is the lone in-state scholarship recruit in Nebraska’s 2012 class.

This time, a Colorado Rockies late rally produced a victory. Jason Giambi swatted a walk-off, pinch-hit, three-run homer to give the Rockies an 8-5 win in the rubber game of their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Denver yesterday afternoon. The Rockies had given away a pair of late leads late, including in the top of the ninth, where the Dodgers scored twice to tie the game off Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt. But Eric Young Jr. and Marco Scutaro walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth, and after a bunt moved them over a base, Giambi’s blast sent the home crowd home happy. Carlos Gonzalez belted two homers in the win, and Wilin Rosario also went deep for the Rox. The Rockies are off today before concluding their nine-game homestand with a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, beginning Friday night.

The Husker volleyball team secured a commitment for the class of 2014 from one of the top players in the Chicago area. Maddie Hagerty, from Glen Ellyn, Illinois, became coach John Cook’s first recruit for the 2014 class. Hagerty, a 6’2” outside hitter, led Benet Academy to the Illinois 4A state champion as a sophomore this past fall, collecting 16 kills in the title match.

The Colorado Rockies will option starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin to the minors after a disappointing start to the 2012 season. Chacin was projected to be a reliable cog in the Rockies rotation, and was tabbed to start the home opener, but struggled mightly to the tune of a 7.30 ERA in his five games. Dating back to last year, Chacin is 3-11 with a 5.14 ERA in his last 21 starts. The Rockies will keep the rotation on regular rest with the off day today and likely call up a relief pitcher for this weekend.

Nebraska junior Morgan Wilken was honored by the Big Ten Conference on Wednesday after being selected as the Big Ten Female Field Athlete-of-the-Week. The accolade marks her first Big Ten outdoor track and field weekly award. Wilken took home the honor after placing first in the discus at the Drake Relays with a throw of 183 feet, 7 inches. Her mark ranks first in the Big Ten and fifth nationally.