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Nuggets begin crucial stretch with Wolves in town

Apr 9, 2011 - 2:56 PM (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets are closing in on the No. 5 spot in the Western Conference and will begin the final homestand of the regular season tonight versus the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Nuggets are 1 1/2 games ahead of Portland and two games in front of New Orleans for the fifth spot with three games to go. They will also host Golden State before closing out the regular season next week in Utah.

Denver has lost two of three games since a six-game winning streak and dropped a 104-89 decision in Oklahoma City on Friday. Nene led the way with 18 points, while Raymond Felton and Danilo Gallinari scored 17 apiece for the Nuggets, who got 14 points and 13 rebounds from Kenyon Martin. Denver had 18 turnovers converted into 25 Thunder points and shot 40.3 percent for the game.

"We had a lapse tonight," Felton said. "We've got to figure this thing out."

The Nuggets fell to 6-17 on the year when failing to score at least 100 points in a game. They are 42-13 when reaching the century mark and currently lead the NBA with 106.9 ppg. Gallinari is averaging 16.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in his last 12 games, while Martin is posting 15.6 points and 7.6 boards over the past five contests.

Minnesota will begin a quick road trip tonight against the Nuggets and Suns, and will wrap up the 2010-11 season next week versus Houston. It has lost 12 in a row and is winless in the past nine road games, and is coming off Wednesday's 108-98 loss to the Suns in the Twin Cities.

Michael Beasley scored 24 points for the Wolves, who were once again without double-double machine Kevin Love because of a left groin strain. Love has missed three straight and six of eight games, and is listed as doubtful for tonight's contest.

"We were making a punch, then they made a punch and we didn't really bounce back," said Timberwolves guard Wesley Johnson, who scored 10 points in the recent loss to the Suns.

The Timberwolves last prevailed on March 11 against Utah and are 5-34 away from the Target Center this season. Wolves center Darko Milicic left Wednesday's game versus Phoenix with an ankle injury and is doubtful for Saturday's contest in the Rocky Mountains.

Denver has won the first three meetings with Minnesota this season, five straight overall and 15 of the previous 16 matchups in the series. The Timberwolves have lost two in a row and 12 of 18 contests in the Rockies.