Denver Nuggets Snap Losing Streak, Beat Wolves 78-74

The Denver Nuggets snapped their 6-game losing streak, beating the scuffling Minnesota Timberwolves on the road by a final score of 78-74.

The Denver Nuggets entered Wednesday’s game in Minneapolis needing a win badly after a rough stretch in their schedule. Against a Timberwolves team that had lost their previous three games, the Denver Nuggets found a way to record a gutsy, but sloppy win on the road.

In his third game back from an ankle injury, Danilo Gallinari led all scorers on Wednesday with 20 points on 6-15 shooting. Gallinari also recorded 7 rebounds and 4 assists against Minnesota. Also in his third game back from injury, Jusuf Nurkic chipped in with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench.

For Minnesota, Karl-Anthony towns led the way with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds to go along with 2 assists and 2 blocks. Nikola Pekovic made his season debut for the Wolves off the bench, scoring 12 points in 16 minutes.

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The Timberwolves held only a two-point lead at halftime at 44-42, in what was very much a back and forth affair. Minnesota got out to a 10 point lead in the third quarter with 5:35 left in the period. Baskets from Gallinari, Randy Foye and Jusuf Nurkic brought the Denver Nuggets back, with the visitors holding a slim 66-65 lead off a Nurkic free throw at the end of the period.

The fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game, sloppy play from both teams was on full display. Only an aggregate 21 points were scored in the period. The Denver Nuggets took a 5-point lead with 7:20 left as Jusuf Nurkic scored a 2-point basket, making the score 74-69.

Karl-Anthony Towns narrowed the Denver Nuggets lead with 6:50 left after two makes from the charity stripe, making the score 74-71. Danilo Gallinari’s two free-throw makes with 5:37 left in the quarter brought the Denver Nuggets’ lead back to 5 at 76-71.