NBA Preview from The Sports Network
Wednesday, November 21st
(All times eastern)
Denver Nuggets (5-6) at Minnesota Timberwolves (5-4), 8 p.m.
(Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets will look to capitalize on their big
victory Monday night in Memphis Wednesday when they head to Minnesota to take
on the Timberwolves.
Denver ended Memphis' eight-game winning streak and also closed a 15-game,
regular-season home winning streak for the Grizzlies. The Nuggets were four
points down with 8 1/2 minutes to go, but scored the game's final nine points
to get the much-needed victory.
"This is the first game on the road where I think we executed at a high level
both offensively and defensively," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "We have to
start shooting better. We were celebrating shooting 70 percent from the free
throw line today. We've got to get better at making shots and I think we will
once we win games, and I think confidence comes by winning."
Monday's win snapped a three-game slide for the Nuggets, including two in a
row on the road.
Danilo Gallinari led the way for the Nuggets with 26 points. Kenneth Faried
contributed yet another double-double, while Corey Brewer and JaVale McGee
both scored double-figures off the bench.
The Timberwolves are in the throes of a two-game losing streak and have
battled more injuries than any other team in the NBA.
Already without cornerstones Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio, Chase Budinger is
out, Brandon Roy shockingly had knee surgery, and Jose Barea and Nikola
Pekovic have all missed recent games.
When Minnesota lost at home to the Golden State Warriors on Friday, they
dressed nine healthy players. Pekovic is expected back for Wednesday night's
action and Barea thinks he'll be in the lineup, but will be evaluated before
the game.
"We did do a really light practice today," head coach Rick Adelman said after
Tuesday's practice. "We were trying to save their legs, get them ready for
tomorrow. This team's got a lot of energy."
Derrick Williams finally showed the promise the T-Wolves saw in him when they
took him second in the 2011 NBA Draft. He scored 23 points on 8-for-16
shooting and rookie Alexey Shved had 22.
The Timberwolves are in the bottom-third in the league in scoring, but rank
third, behind only the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, in opponents
scoring.
The Nuggets are 20-3 in their last 23 against the Timberwolves and 12-3 in
their last 15 in Minnesota.
11/21 10:44:28 ET

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