Gritty Wolves Fall to Denver

BOX SCORE

Despite a gritty, solid all-around performance from the Wolves, Denver emerged from Target Center with a 99-91 victory Friday night. Rashad McCants had 23, and we blogged our way through the contest, starting with some pregame action:

What's up everybody, we're back on the laptop to make sure not a basketball stone is unturned here on timberwolves.com. That sounded lame, didn't it?

The point is, we don't want you to miss anything. The day began by interviewing Allen Iverson, Chris Richard, Ryan Gomes, Jerry Sichting and Randy Wittman after shootaround; hopefully you caught that content in our news column. If you missed if, click "back" on your browser and scope it out.

A few minutes ago (5:15 p.m.) I went down to chat with Corey Brewer and Chris Richard about their first NBA game. However, we ended up talking about Nintento Wii and the newly renovated Gator facilities down in Florida, about which they couldn't stop beaming and raving. We'll get to that in a separate article, because it's pretty funny stuff.

It's time to head down to catch Randy Wittman's pregame talk, and if he says anything we need to know, I'll hop back on here and fill you in. Cool?

6:02 -- Conversations with coaches Bickerstaff and Wittman:
Just ran upstairs after speaking to assistant coach J.B. Bickerstaff and, subsequently, Wittman. I was talking to J.B., who was a very good college player, about how much these guys shoot and work out before NBA games. He explained that shootaround is almost completely a mental exercise, and really isn't too taxing on your legs. However, some players will stay after shootaround and hoist countless jumpers, which does take its toll. But most guys know their limit. They're professionals, after all. Bickerstaff noted that some work harder than others: Ron Artest used to strap a weighted vest on at shootaround.

As far as pregame workouts go, J.B. said players try to limit their exercises to around 10 or 15 minutes at 80 to 85 percent. "It has to be short and crisp," he explained. "You need to get those legs warmed up, but you don't want to push it too hard and lose anything during the game." He also said that, of course, veterans need less attention than younger guys. You have to help the younger players to make sure they're staying within the confines that will deliver their best efforts at the 7:00 tipoff.

Coach Wittman, surrounded at the scorers table at midcourt by media members, talked about what he needs to see from Sebastian Telfair tonight: Staying within himself, moving the basketball, pressuring the ball everywhere and not forcing anything. That's how he played against Milwaukee last Friday, and Witt wants to see it again. Coach also said that how good this team is may depend on how it collectively shoots from the perimeter, and that the expectation is certainly to win. A reporter asked what the expectations were, sort of implying that if the team plays well but loses to a really, really good Denver team things would be OK. But Witt wants to win. Period.

Speaking of Denver, I think they're in they are right on the cusp of the top three teams in the NBA - San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas. If they can play like they played last April, winning 11-of-12 to close the season, you have to put them in that elite group. It will be a really tough game for Minnesota, but that's why they throw the ball up in the air. We shall see.

6:49
Just 11 minutes from festivities, I'm getting jacked up to see what the Wolves' game operations department has arranged for us tonight. I've seen the video that will roll on the jumbotron getting everyone jacked up for the contest, and it's real tight.

6:59
I went over to say what up to KFAN's Paul Allen and see what was going on with the voice of the Vikes. Of course, as soon as the building went dark, PA goes: "Hey Mike, get your hand off me," as PR director Mike Cristaldi gives me a weird look. Thanks PA.

The opening video was terrific as expected, and the Timberwolves Dancers would have been bad to look at if I were lying. After a nice lil' routine, they announced the starting lineups, and got ready for tip.

First Quarter
- After Denver scored the first four points, Theo Ratliff hammered home the Wolves first bucket of the season on a massive, two-handed dunk. And by massive I mean like Pat Williams (who is in Club Cambria right now). A possession later, after Telfair forced Iverson into a tough shot, McCants threw down a fierce two-hander at the other end after slipping behind the defense.

- Rafliff just swatted his first shot of the year, and this one was impressive. Marcus Camby drove down the baseline with full ambition to dunk it on everybody, and Ratliff went right up with him with the same amount of force. A beautiful block, truly. Hopefully other Nuggets get wary of driving into the lane.

- Behind 75 percent shooting, two Ratliff free throws, another McCants dunk, and a Telfair steal and jumper, it's 15-6 Minnesota. Crowd loving it. That's a 14-2 run after falling behind 4-0 early, and Denver was forced to call a timeout, resulting in a standing ovation from the Target Center faithful.

- Checked in with PA: "Two big things have developed already. Al Jefferson's first touch in the post resulted in a double-team from Camby and Martin, so you know they're respecting him. That's really good (editor's note: not only that, but he passed out of it, and Gomes canned a three). The second thing is, basketball immortality just tried to push it up the floor (Allen Iverson) and Telfair picks his pocket, then sticks a J. There couldn't have been a better start for Minnesota."

- Really balanced attack right now from the Wolves. Gomes has five, Jefferson two, Ratliff five, McCants nine and Telfair two. Jefferson has four boards, and Ratliff three. 23-9 so far. This probably won't be a big scoring night for Al, because Camby is the best defender in the entire league. He's so long and quick, it's going to be hard for Jefferson to get any good looks, especially with Martin coming over to double. But this creates open looks for other guys, so it's all good. That's why you need the big fella on the block.

- Linas Kleiza's in the game for Denver, and it's making me nervous because he hit five threes against Seattle on Wednesday. Cover him, immediately ... You have to love how Minnesota is playing here, but you also have to know that Denver's going to go on a run soon. As I type that, a mini-run with two A.I. free throws at the tail end makes it 25-20 Wolves. Telfair's out of the game, and the pace has changed.

- There are Minnesota Vikings everywhere. Lexus Courtside Club and Club Cambria (both awesome gameday experiences, p.s.) are holding several purple guys. I've assigned intern Jude to the task of interviewing several of them, so stay tuned for that column.

- McCants and Jefferson are out of the game, so it's going to be interesting to see if the Wolves have trouble scoring here. On the floor: Craig Smith, Antoine Walker, Greg Buckner, Corey Brewer (who came in a minute earlier to a big ovation) and Marko Jaric. Walker immediately hit a 17-footer to make it 27-20. A Nene free throw made it 27-21 to close out the quarter, and many fans stood up to applaud.

Second Quarter
- One of my favorite moments thus far came after Corey Brewer scored his first NBA bucket, because college teammate Chris Richard immediately popped up to show his support for his boy. Nice. Consecutive reverse layups from Smith and Walker make it 33-22, and the Wolves' second unit is outplaying Denver's bench (Kleiza, Nene, Mike Wilks, Bobby Jones and Eduardo Najera).

- The dancers just dropped "We Takin' Over" on a pleased crowd. Intern Matt liked the twirl move the best, while intern Jude just nodded and smiled.

- Weak call from the refs, giving Jaric a "flagrant one" foul for what seemed like a routine, hard hit. It wasn't dirty or malicious, just hard, but that's two free throws and the ball for the Nugs. I'm just happy that "Friday Night Lights," "Las Vegas" and the Celtics-Wizards game are recording on my DVR.

- With Jaric running the point, Denver is picking Minnesota up full-court and trapping near the midline. This is exactly what Wittman had the Wolves practicing against this week, and they've yet to turn it over. Denver was not pressuring full-court when Telfair was in the game, and he just checked back in. 37-29 Minny after the second group did a nice job of maintaining the lead. Minnesota's shooting 52 percent thus far.

- Let's check in with PA again: "I can't remember the last time I saw a game in which, twice, we destroyed a guy going to the hoop. Both Jaric and Buckner just did it, and as the impressionable bit goes, you can tell that these guys have been coached up. Guys that have left - Davis, Hassell, Hudson, etc. - never did that. KG would once in a while, but to see that toughness in the lane, that Minnesota will not be giving up easy baskets, is huge. I also haven't seen Antoine Walker this slim in a few years, and McCants is playing with unbelievable confidence. After a quarter and a half, I could not be happier."

- PA makes a great point about that toughness on the interior, and as I was walking back to my seat we spoke about how good Theo Ratliff looks right now. Lots of positive things to see here, folks ... come check us out.

- Let's take a look at the leaders: McCants has 14 points, Jefferson seven boards, and Telfair three assists. The Wolves are being outrebounded 20-17, but have six steals and only five turnovers to Denver's nine. With 2:37 left in the half, it's 48-41.

- News flash: Sebastian Telfair is good. Seven points, three dimes, a board, a steal, but perhaps most importantly, he completely changes the pace of the game at both ends of the floor. Of course, he'll still make mistakes and doesn't need to shoot a lot (five shots a game according to PA) but I like it a lot.

Third Quarter
- It's going to be interesting to see if Minnesota can keep this up, because the effort level has been top-notch throughout thus far. McCants scored on Minnesota's first two possessions, but had to be subbed after committing his fourth foul. That sucks, but not as much as Justin Bobby on "The Hills". Or when they put cheese on your sandwich at a drive-thru even though you specifically plead with the Arby's attendant not to.

- As usual, Jefferson commanded a double-team when he caught it in the paint, the Wolves moved the ball around the perimeter until Greg Buckner got an open look at three, and he nailed it. 62-56. At the other end, Iverson hit his 12th consecutive free throw. Ratliff had two blocks in the first half, and just influenced an A.I. miss by streaking through the lane from the weak side. Again, and I can't emphasize this enough, having that shot blocker changes everything. Thanks, Captain Obvious.

- Intern Jude just got back from Club Cambria, where he interviewed Tarvaris Jackson and Pat Williams of the Vikes. "Dude, Williams is enormous," he notes.

- 'Melo just threw down an A.I. alley-oop to cut the lead to two, 68-66. We knew Denver was going to come strong, but to their credit, the Wolves haven't balked. It's been back-and-forth with a squad who almost beat the defending champs in the first round of the playoffs, have one of the league's highest payrolls and feature two No. 1 overall draft picks (A.I. and Martin), a No. 2 (Camby) and a No. 3 ('Melo). That's a lot of talent. Like Al Jefferson, who just hit a turnaround for his 12th point. Al's been using a quick release upon catching the rock to get his this half.

- Denver tied the game for the first time since 4-4 on an Anthony J, but Buckner responded with a three.

- BOOM! Jefferson just got all fierce, mean and nasty with a baseline dunk plus the harm.
PA, tell us about it: "Wow, what up Al Jefferson! The big fella just pump-faked Marcus Camby, and he left from outside the block and slammed to make it 76-73. Our plucky little squad is fending the challenge right now of a team that apparently thinks it's good enough - like Dallas, San Antonio and Phoenix, to push a button and go right by us. They haven't pushed that button yet." 77-74 Wolves after three.

Fourth Quarter
- With Jefferson getting a blow and McCants still on the bench, the Wolves fed Craig Smith inside and the Rhino drew a foul on Kleiza, who immediately whined for the 12th time tonight. He whines more than Paris Hilton waiting for the Nordstroms folks to swipe her American Express Black card on a big clothing purchase.

- Just took a break from the action to interview Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, and intern Jude is going to have to type for me for the rest of the game, because AP just broke my hand. "That's his signature," explains PA. "Serious, serious hand shake." As advertised, Peterson is a really good dude. We'll get that transcript out later.

- 'Melo just converted another and-1, and Mike Wilks converted a J to allow Denver to match its biggest lead of the game at 86-82 with 6:00 remaining. Minnesota's starters are back on the floor, with the exception of Smith being in for Ratliff since Denver went small. McCants got to the rim again on the next possession, but Camby came over for his fifth block. He has been absolutely terrific defensively tonight.

- Great D throughout the shot clock is to no avail when Anthony converts a tough reverse for his 31st point with one second on the shot clock. Let's mention again that the effort from the Wolves has been great, but it seems like Denver has been biding their time until the fourth quarter and relying on A.I. and 'Melo. They're up eight now after two more A.I. free throws, thanks mostly to packing the lane defensively and forcing the Wolves to take tough jumpers. Minnesota did miss a few bunnies that could have kept them just about even. Still, that they've gone cold is witnessed by the 40 percent shooting they've fallen to after hitting on 47 percent in the first half.

- Telfair just canned a long J and Gomes promptly stole the rock, feeding McCants to result in two free throws and a 92-88 Denver lead. 'Melo came back with a dunk, but Ratliff answered with a dunk of his own, plus the foul and a 94-91 deicit with 1:28 remaining.

- Ouch. Camby just drove a dagger into the collective heart of the Wolves by following an Anthony miss with a slam and a 96-91 lead. After Telfair got mugged (no call) and Gomes missed a three, Iverson's three sealed it ... 99-91 Denver with 32 seconds left. A loss is tough to take after such a gritty effort from the home team, but fans can leave Target Center happy with the foundation for the Wolves' future.

Come back tomorrow for postgame quotes and reactions from the 99-91 Wolves loss to Denver.