Wolves record: 2-15

Box Score

 

From the precipice of lasting infamy, the Timberwolves on Sunday plucked a stupefying 106-100 victory at Denver that ended their losing streak at 15 games, one loss away from tying a franchise record.

Until Sunday, the Wolves hadn’t won since opening night, 32 days earlier.

Until Sunday, the previously 12-4 Nuggets hadn’t lost in their past 17 home games, a streak that dates to last March.

 

It didn’t look like a win was possible early. Carmelo Anthony, coming off the first 50-point game of his career, had 19 of his game-high 32 in the first quarter as Denver took a 40-25 lead after 12 minutes and led 64-50 at halftime.

But the Timberwolves felt the Nuggets missed their chance to put them away.

“Being down 14 to Denver, for us that was like being down three,” said Damien Wilkins, who had 15 points and 12 rebounds. “We came into the locker room and were like, ‘They’ll let us back in it with the way they play.’ They’re known as a team that will relax sometimes. They relaxed just enough and we played hard enough to keep ourselves in the game.”

 

“We had the mind-set that we were going to take it from them,” rookie point guard Jonny Flynn said. “We knew this is the kind of team that can fall asleep, and we just took it from them.”

Ryan Gomes scored 27 points, and Damien Wilkins recorded his fourth career double-double as the Timberwolves ended a 15-game losing streak, and ended the Nuggets’ 17-game home winning streak. The Wolves started the second half with a 14-0 run, and outscored Denver 38-12 in the third quarter.

When Gomes scored consecutive baskets, the second on a perfect spin move in the paint, the Wolves had a 92-82 lead with 6 minutes, 48 seconds remaining, taking control of a fourth quarter for the first time all season.