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Nuggets hold off Timberwolves

Nov 28, 2013 - 5:01 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Ty Lawson led eight Nuggets in double figures with 23 points as Denver survived a late Minnesota rally to top the Timberwolves, 117-110, at Target Center.

Darrell Arthur's jumper had the Nuggets in front 103-92 midway through the fourth before Kevin Love drilled 3-pointers on the front and back end of a 10-0 Wolves' run.

Denver's frontcourt helped it stay in front, as J.J. Hickson's tip-slam halted the charge. Kenneth Faried followed with an alley-oop in transition and the Hickson dunked once again to add to the cushion. Lawson and Wilson Chandler put the game away from the foul line.

Nate Robinson and Chandler netted 15 and 14 points, respectively, as the Nuggets won their fourth straight tilt. Faried had 13 points while Jordan Hamilton added 11 and Hickson, Randy Foye and Andre Miller all scored 10.

"We're starting to get it," Denver head coach Brian Shaw said. "We're starting to build some momentum."

Kevin Martin made 11-of-11 from the free throw line en route to 29 points for the Timberwolves, who have dropped three in a row and five of six. Nikola Pekovic contributed 21 points and 10 boards, Love went for 19 points and 15 rebounds and Ricky Rubio double-doubled with 17 points and 11 assists, but committed seven of his team's 17 turnovers.

The Nuggets led 28-27 after a balanced first quarter in which neither team went up by more than six points.

Denver began to pull away early in the second. Hamilton started the frame with a 3 and Faried followed with a 3-point play. Robinson then caught fire, sinking three triples to extend the visitors' edge to 48-33 just 4:24 into the period.

Pekovic and Martin combined for 20 points in the second -- 18 after Robinson's last 3 -- as the Wolves trailed 64-55 at intermission.

"Defensively we allowed them to do whatever they wanted to do," Minnesota head coach Rick Adelman said. "We have to figure out what we're going to do from this point forward because you can't defend like that."

Hamilton's trey capped a 7-0 Denver burst late in the third to hold Minnesota at arm's length before the decisive fourth quarter.

Game Notes

Minnesota played its first game since trading former No. 2 pick Derrick Williams, who was sent to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday for forward Luc Mbah a Moute. Mbah a Moute is expected to make his Wolves' debut in Dallas on Saturday ... Denver's bench outscored their counterparts, 47-10 ... Minnesota outrebounded the Nuggets, 46-36.