Denver Nuggets Show Fight In The Fourth Quarter, Fall To The Minnesota Timberwolves 132-128
By Andrew Dill
Mar 3, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Ty Lawson (3) drives to the basket during the first half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets (25-34) suffered another close loss at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night by the final score of 132-128. Kevin Love‘s double-double led the way for the Wolves as he scored 33 points on 10-of-21 shooting, collecting 19 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in the win. Love would also go 11-of-13 from the charity stripe as the Wolves shot 64 total free-throws on the night which would be a franchise record.
Ty Lawson returned back into the Denver Nuggets lineup after missing nine games with a fractured rib and would prove to be a key contributor. Lawson finished the game with 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, going 3-for-4 from behind-the-arc. Lawson would also collect 11 assists and 4 steals as the guard fouled out with under a minute to go in the fourth quarter where Denver went +11 in the scoring column, outscoring the Wolves 45-to-34.
The Minnesota Timberwolves would score a season-high 132 points in the win as former Nugget Corey Brewer continues to beat down on his former team. The wingman would score 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting to go along with 2 rebounds and 2 steals. Minnesota would also break Denver’s 52 consecutive game win streak when scoring 110+ points at home.
Nuggets small forward Wilson Chandler kept the team alive late in the four quarter knocking down key three’s late. Wilson would finish the game with 25 points on 11-of-22 shooting, collecting 10 rebounds and 2 assists in the losing effort. Evan Fournier was cold all game from the field as he was 0-for-4 prior to knocking down a three to bring the Nuggets close in the end as he recorded just five points.
Kenneth Faried continues to show the Nuggets that his post game is still a work in progress and it’s still getting better. The power forward would finish the game with 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting to go along with 8 rebounds and 3 steals. Like Ty Lawson, Randy Foye would foul out in the late stages of the fourth but would have a productive night. He would score 22 points on 8-of-16 from the field, knocking down 4-of-8 shots from deep.
The Denver Nuggets (25-34) return to action Wednesday night to host the Dallas Mavericks at the Pepsi Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM MT and the game will be televised on ESPN.