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Wolves, Nuggets meet in Denver

Jan 17, 2015 - 3:01 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Denver Nuggets had a five-game winning streak snapped last time out, so they'll try and get back into the win column Saturday night when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves at the Pepsi Center.

Denver had won five straight until a 97-89 loss to the Dallas Mavericks in Big D Friday night. The Mavs salvaged the home end of a home-and-home series with the Nuggets, who have won three consecutive contests at home.

On Friday, the Mavs won wire-to-wire after Dirk Nowitzki, Rajon Rondo and Tyson Chandler returned to the lineup. All three missed Wednesday night's game in Denver.

Arron Afflalo had 16 points, and JJ Hickson scored 13 and pulled down 14 rebounds for the Nuggets. Ty Lawson scored 11 to go with 12 assists and six boards for Denver, which posted a 114-107 home win Wednesday.

Jameer Nelson, who made his Nuggets debut after being traded from Boston, scored 14 to go with seven assists.

"It was a little weird. Number one playing against a team a played for this year and two, I haven't played basketball in a couple of weeks," said Nelson, who was dealt from Dallas to Boston Dec. 18. "The situation in Boston, I had a a lot going on yesterday with traveling and my mind was spinning. You step on the court it's basketball and all the other stuff goes out the window. You have to play the game and do your job."

The Timberwolves snapped a 15-game losing streak on Tuesday, but fell back to their losing ways on Friday, thanks to a 110-99 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Mo Williams netted 26 points, half of his career-high output from Tuesday, Andrew Wiggins scored 17 and Thaddeus Young finished with 13 points, eight boards and six assists for the Timberwolves.

"They've got a lot of weapons and they've got some length," Williams said of the Suns. "They're athletic. They made some tough shots."

The Suns shot 48-of-87 from the field (55.2 percent), while the Timberwolves were just 42-of-91 (46.2 percent), despite opening the game 8-for-8 from the floor.

Kevin Martin could be close to returning to the T-wolves' lineup. He's missed 28 games with a broken wrist. If Martin doesn't return Saturday, he could be back Monday when the Timberwolves visit the Charlotte Hornets.

Nikola Pekovic is also not far from a return. Minnesota head coach Flip Saunders indicated the big man may go to the D-League for a few games to help with conditioning.

Ricky Rubio is not as close as the others to getting back on the floor.

The Nuggets took the first two meetings this season between these Northwest Division rivals. Denver is 8-2 in its last 10 against the Timberwolves in the Mile High City.