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Nuggets rout Timberwolves in regular-season finale

Apr 27, 2012 - 4:50 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - JaVale McGee led a balanced offensive attack with 19 points, and Denver blew out Minnesota, 131-102, in the finale of an abbreviated 66-game regular season schedule.

Arron Afflalo contributed 18 points and Danilo Gallinari 17 for the Nuggets (38-28), who will be seeded sixth in the Western Conference and will face the Pacific Division-champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, starting Sunday.

The Nuggets have never won a playoff series against the Lakers in five tries.

"I'm just excited about being in the playoffs and playing as hard as I've been playing since I've been in Denver," McGee said. "As long as we go out there and play like we've been playing, we should be fine."

J.J. Barea had 20 points for the Timberwolves (26-40), who haven't reached the playoffs since the 2003-04 campaign. Nikola Pekovic had 18 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota, which lost 13 of its final 14 games.

Timberwolves forward Brad Miller played in the final game of his 14-year career. He's also played for Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman in Sacramento, Houston.

"It's very emotional," Miller said. "As soon as I talk about it, it gets me. I've been playing for 30 years, but when it's time, it's time."

Denver, which will go into the postseason on a four-game winning streak, shot 62.9 percent.

A layup from Derrick Williams had the Timberwolves within 29-27 in the opening minute of the second quarter, but Denver then ran off a 16-2 burst. Corey Brewer's layup capped the rally for a 45-29 cushion at the midway point.

The Nuggets, who shot 65 percent in the second quarter, led 61-42 at halftime. They were up as many as 29 in the third and 32 in the fourth.

Game Notes

The Nuggets have won 24 of the last 29 meetings overall with the Wolves, dating back to the end of the 2004-05 season, including 19 of the last 21...Minnesota lost its final eight home games to finish 13-20 at Target Center.