Despite Late Rally, Wolves Fall At Home

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Jonah Ballow
Wolves Editor/Writer
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Kurt Rambis DOWNLOAD MP3 Al Jefferson DOWNLOAD MP3 Jonny Flynn DOWNLOAD MP3 Bonus: Halftime Interview with Rap Star Chamillionaire DOWNLOAD MP3

In a blink of an eye, the Nuggets utilized their high-octane offense to propel them to a 124-111 runaway victory over the Wolves. Picture perfect execution through the half court offensive sets lifted Denver to an early 23-10 lead in the first quarter. The Nuggets never looked back while improving to 11-4 on the season and Minnesota fell to 1-14.

"We didn't come out with the energy and effort it takes for us to win basketball games. I told them I will always take them playing poorly, if I see them playing hard. That effort, energy, passion and competitiveness wasn't there tonight," head coach Kurt Rambis said.

The league's best offensive weapon this year cruised to 22 points in only three quarters. Carmelo Anthony was efficient by hitting 50 percent from the floor and a perfect 9-for-9 at the charity stripe. Denver did not need a herculean performance from the MVP candidate, the squad joined forces for a balanced victory.

The Nuggets athletic frontline set the tone from the opening minutes of the game with a sound defensive effort on Al Jefferson. The combination of Nene and Kenyon Martin frustrated Jefferson, limiting the Wolves go-to scorer to 2-of-11 shooting in the first half. On the offensive side, Martin received several open looks in the first period as Minnesota allowed space on the perimeter. The power forward took full advantage and scored six points after one quarter of play.

"I didn't think Al was going to force the game tonight," Rambis said. "I think he was too passive for their aggressive defense; you have to be able to put up more of a blockade when they double like that. I'm trying to get him to play hard. He has taken several steps forward in the last three ball games; he went back and forth tonight."

Nene rested the entire four quarter due to the impressive 17 points, eight rebounds, and six assists he compiled in 28 minutes of action. The Nuggets frontcourt was dominating, outscoring Minnesota 50-34 in the paint, which included a nice 15-point contribution from Chris "Birdman" Anderson off the bench.

Denver's lineup is versatile; head coach George Karl has the luxury of placing rookie Ty Lawson at the point guard position, Chauncey Billups at shooting guard, and then moving Aaron Afflalo to small forward. This unit displayed extreme speed, maintaining the large Nuggets lead as the starters rested.

As Anthony, Nene, and Chauncey Billups watched the game from the sidelines, Jefferson regained some rhythm with 10 points and 7 boards to extend his double-double streak to four games.

Corey Brewer erupted for his first double-double along with a career-high 22 points. At the shooting guard spot, Brewer carried the heavy lifting on the offensive side of the floor for Minnesota. Brewer jumped out on the fast break with a cost-to-coast tomahawk slam to knock the Nuggets lead to just 12 at the 7:28 mark of the second quarter.

The second period also featured a combination of Jonny Flynn and Ramon Sessions in the backcourt. The two guards played significant minutes together despite Rambis' misgivings about pairing the first-year Wolves. Flynn finished with 20 points, most of the production in the final stanza during Minnesota's valiant attempt at the comeback.

"He [Flynn] goes up and down, he gets better at some things for a few days, and then he takes a step back. For him, as there is for a lot of young players, there is just so much you have to learn. It just takes time, you can't put it all in, in one season. He does have to be able to handle pick and roll situations better where he is coming off harder, his court vision, and seeing the right opportunity," Rambis said.

Ryan Hollins enjoyed a career-high 19 points in the starting lineup. The young center did not back down from Martin and continued to fight in the paint despite the lopsided score. Oleksiy Pecherov added 12 points off the bench.

Minnesota remains at home for Thanksgiving and then returns to the Target Center on Friday night for another difficult contest against Phoenix. The rigorous schedule continues on Sunday night with a rematch in Denver.

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