It's looking very likely that Denver will play host to the NBA All-Star Game in 2005.

NBA commissioner David Stern guaranteed last month that the city will get the game "within the next two or three years."

Two sources close to the situation said Denver, which bid for the game in 2005, 2006 or 2007, is a heavy favorite for 2005.

David Ehrlich, executive vice president for Kroenke Sports, stopped short Monday of saying 2005 is a slam dunk, but said the city is making "good progress." Based upon conversations with NBA officials, Ehrlich expects a decision to be made in "two or three weeks."