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Sports

Nuggets carry momentum into Minnesota

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

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.