Wolves record: 8-31
When the Wolves last were here, they were 1-15 but stunned Denver on Nov. 29. But the Nuggets were ready Monday night, winning 105-94.
“They’re not going to overlook us,” Wolves coach Kurt Rambis said before the game, knowing the Nuggets were going to be fired up after the 106-100 loss in the previous meeting. “They’re going to have energy.
The Nuggets sure did, taking a 58-50 halftime lead and extending it to as much as 18 points in the fourth quarter. The Nuggets then relaxed a bit, allowing the Wolves to get within eight in the final minute. But there never was any cause for the home fans to be concerned.
Wolves forward Kevin Love was among those guys who felt the pain after a third quarter in which the Nuggets got physical and built a 16-point lead from which the visitors never recovered.
Love felt it from Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin in his body and on a couple of fingers on that healing left hand.
Love felt it from Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin in his body and on a couple of fingers on that healing left hand.
“Definitely the third quarter,” Love said. “Kenyon was definitely hitting me hard, pushing me in the back. We were going at each other, but that’s fun. The physicality definitely stepped up.”
From NBA.com:
Corey Brewer had 25 points for the Timberwolves, who lost their fourth consecutive game on the road. Al Jefferson added 22 points and 15 rebounds while Kevin Love had 20 points and 14 rebounds for Minnesota. Ryan Gomes, who had a season-high 27 points in Minnesota’s victory at Denver, was held to 2 points this time around.
Up by eight at the break, the Nuggets extended their lead to 85-70 by the end of the third quarter. Billups chipped in eight of his points during the period, twice hitting 3-pointers to deflate runs by the Timberwolves.
Up by eight at the break, the Nuggets extended their lead to 85-70 by the end of the third quarter. Billups chipped in eight of his points during the period, twice hitting 3-pointers to deflate runs by the Timberwolves.