Nuggets 105 - 108 Timberwolves
Final
  for this game

Love, Timberwolves aim for revenge vs. Nuggets

Dec 12, 2012 - 3:52 PM (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets spoiled Kevin Love's season debut the last time they played the Minnesota Timberwolves in mid-November.

Love wasn't too pleased after the loss to the Northwest Division-rival Nuggets and will get a chance for a revenge Wednesday night at the Target Center.

The All-Star forward and Olympic gold medalist scored 34 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in that 101-94 home setback to Denver on Nov. 21 and wasn't happy afterward.

"Just being out there, we know we can beat them, and they're a team that we need to beat," said Love, who missed the first nine games due to a fracture of the third and fourth metacarpals in his right hand. "So we're happy to have a chance to play them a few more times, and I think that more often than not we're going to get those guys."

Minnesota has split its last eight games since the defeat at the hands of the Nuggets, who have prevailed in 20 of the past 22 matchups in this series. The Nuggets have also won two straight and 10 of 11 trips to the Twin Cities.

The well-rested T'Wolves recorded their third win in four tries overall with last Friday's 91-73 victory versus the Cleveland Cavaliers. Love led the charge with a season-best 36 points and 13 boards, while Luke Ridnour totaled 12 points and seven assists. J.J. Barea added 10 points in a winning effort.

"My teammates hit me a with a lot of great passes early on and I was able to get a couple follow-up baskets off offensive rebounds. That's what got me started tonight," Love said.

Love, who had 15 points in the first quarter for a Minnesota team that never trailed, shot 10-of-19 from the floor and made 14-of-18 free throws.

Andrei Kirilenko recorded eight points, seven rebounds and three blocks in the win, and had missed four straight games.

The Timberwolves are 5-3 at home and will visit New Orleans Friday.

Denver will put the finishing touches on a five-game road trip Wednesday and has alternated wins and losses over the past six contests.

In Tuesday's 101-94 victory at Detroit, Ty Lawson scored 16 of his 26 points in the second half, Corey Brewer netted 15 points and both Andre Iguodala and JaVale McGee posted 12 points for the Nuggets, who overcame an early 17-point deficit and improved to 2-2 on the road trip.

"We got off to a sluggish start ... but we were able to find a way to get some energy in the game and force some turnovers and play Nuggets basketball," said Nuggets veteran point guard Andre Miller, who had 11 points and seven assists.

The Nuggets are allowing 100.7 ppg this season, but are scoring 100.7 ppg.

Denver will return to the Pepsi Center Friday to host Memphis.






Related News