Timberwolves Come Up Short

Wolves Postgame Audio
Ryan Gomes

Randy Foye

The momentum from a thrilling last-second shot can only last so long. The Wolves looked primed to capture their first back-to-back victory of the season after a strong first quarter and six point lead. However, during the second half, the Nuggets took control in the 106-97 win at the Target Center. Minnesota failed to string together wins after Mike Miller nailed the game-winner to lift the team to a victory over Oklahoma City last night.

"We outscored them by four field goals in the game, but they lived at the free throw line," head coach Randy Wittman said. "We didn't step it up when they made their run during the third quarter. They knocked us on our heels and we didn't respond to it until the end there when we continued to fight."

Denver kicked up the fast break style of offense in the third quarter to outscore the Wolves on the break 21-5 as Minnesota dropped to 4-11 on the season. In addition to the fast break offense, the Nuggets were aggressive moving towards the basket and reached the charity stripe 33 times on the night with a 78 percentage from the free throw line. Denver came out of the locker room with the intensity of a team looking to hit the century mark, which has led to a 7-1 record for the Nuggets when scoring over 100 points.

The Saturday night crowd fueled Minnesota to a six-point advantage at the end of the first quarter with Randy Foye leading the Wolves with ten points. Chauncey Billups seemed to take the scoring outburst personally and would rally Denver to a 7-0 run to start the second quarter. Billups finished with 27 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor and 12-12 from the free throw line. The younger Foye may have learned a thing or two from the veteran All-Star guard. Foye contributed 18 points, six assists and three rebounds.

"He's gotta be one of those guys," Wittman said. "Again, he shoots one free throw. That has got to be better. He's got the ability, size and strength to do a better job of that. He's gotta get to the line more and find ways to use his ability to put the ball on the floor and be aggressive."

Al Jefferson recorded his eighth double-double of the year with 20 points and 13 boards. Kevin Love joined Jefferson by posting his first career double-double in the loss. For the Nuggets, Carmelo Anthony eased into the game but then started to put his stamp on the contest in the decisive third quarter. On 9-of-23 shooting, Anthony scored 23 points as the Nuggets improved to 11-6 on the year.

The Denver bench provided a scoring punch from Linas Kleiza and Anthony Carter as the two combined for 27 points without any contributions from J.R. Smith. For the Wolves, Craig Smith continues to post erratic numbers throughout the season. Smith scored 23 points in the win over Oklahoma City but was hampered with five fouls and finished with just four points.

The NBA life will not get easier for the Wolves with a 3-game road trip starting on Monday night at Charlotte. The squad will conclude the trip against the Nets on Friday night and return home to face the Clippers on Saturday.