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Anthony leads Nuggets past Timberwolves

Nov 24, 2007 - 7:08 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- Carmelo Anthony scored 31 points to lead the Denver Nuggets to a 99-93 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Kenyon Martin had 18 points and Allen Iverson added 13 points and 10 assists for Denver, which had won five in a row at the Pepsi Center.

Looking for its first road win of the season, Minnesota took an 87-84 lead with just under three minutes to play on a 3-pointer by Ryan Gomes. But Minnesota's lead was short-lived.

"I tip my hat to Minnesota, they have been playing well all season," Denver coach George Karl said. "I thought our defense was spectacular down the stretch.

"We won a few games and we drifted back to the stagnant power game that we can probably beat Minnesota with, but I'm not sure we can beat some of the more powerful teams with. But it's nice to be 9-4."

Denver answered Gomes' 3-pointer with a 10-0 run. Iverson started the spurt with a driving basket and Martin gave Denver the lead for good, 88-87, with two free throws with 1:49 to play.

Marcus Camby also had a double-double for Denver, as he grabbed 18 rebounds and added 10 points. He gave Denver a 92-87 lead with 46 seconds to go with a follow-dunk off a missed jumper by Anthony.

"It was an ugly game but we won," Anthony said. "We fought, they were up the whole game and it came down to the last three or four minutes of the fourth quarter. As a team we took control on the defensive end. We got stops, Camby held us down in the paint and we complimented him on the weak side."

Minnesota had its chances down the stretch but committed a pair of costly turnovers in the final minutes and missed plenty of open looks from close range.

"We didn't handle their pressure very well, we turned the ball over five times down the stretch," Minnesota coach Randy Wittman said. "We also missed seven wide open layups in the second half and we went 15-for-24 from the free throw line and you add all that up in a tight game, it is going to come back to hurt you."

Antoine Walker had 24 points off the bench and Gomes had 18 for the Timberwolves, who fell to 0-4 on the road and who have lost four in a row overall.

"He is giving us a big lift off the bench, and we've got to get other guys going, and that's what we are trying to do and we are knocking on the door," Wittman said. "We've got to find a way to get it done."