NBA Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves (29-29) vs. Denver Nuggets (25-33)

Nov 27, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kevin Martin (23) backs down on Denver Nuggets guard Randy Foye (4) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets (25-33) suffered their fifth-straight loss Saturday night to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center, 102-96. The Nuggets did play with a lot more effort than we were used to seeing in the prior games as they just felt short towards the end. Guard Evan Fournier led the way for the Nuggets as the 2nd-year player scored 16 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals.

What: NBA Preview:  vs. 
When: Monday, March 3rd
Where: Pepsi Center
Time: 9:00 PM ET. 7:00 PM MT
TV: Altitude Sports

This is the fourth and final meeting between the two Northwest Division rivals as the Nuggets currently lead the series, 2-1. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves would win the last meeting between the two teams back on Feb. 12th as they blew the Nuggets out, 117-90. Kevin Love led the charge for the Timberwolves as he scored 32 points on 11-of-20 shooting, knocking down 6-of-11 shots from behind-the-arc. Former Nugget Corey Brewer would add 22 points of his own on 9-of-14 shooting, collecting 5 steals.

The Nuggets will have a tough task on hand Monday night as they take on a Timberwolves team that has won five out of their last six games. They are coming off of back-to-back road wins over the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings. The Nuggets didn’t see shooting guard Kevin Martin in the lineup back on Feb. 12th but will see him Monday night. Martin is coming off of a 26 point performance against the Kings back on Mar. 1st.

Wilson Chandler and Darrell Arthur returned back into the Denver Nuggets lineup against the Portland Trail Blazers after dealing with injuries. Chandler struggled from the field as he shot just 4-of-12 from the field while shooting just 2-of-7 from downtown. Arthur would get his shot back to form as he connected with 6-of-7 shooting for 12 points off of the bench.

Nuggets point guard Ty Lawson expects to play tonight after missing several games with a broken rib.

Projected Starting Lineups:

Minnesota Timberwolves:

PG: Ricky Rubio
SG: Kevin Martin
SF: Corey Brewer
PF: Kevin Love
C: Nikola Pekovic

Denver Nuggets:

PG: Ty Lawson
SG: Randy Foye
SF: Wilson Chandler
PF: Kenneth Faried
C: Timofey Mozgov