(Boulder-CO) The Denver Nuggets head north tonight to take on the league's toughest under achiever, the Minnesota Timberwolves. And I say that with a lot a lot of respect for the T-Wolves because their 4-10 record is due to really only one problem: Closing games out.
The Timberwolves have held fourth quarter leads in eight of their ten losses, including a loss to the Nuggets on November 16th, 90-84 , at the Pepsi Center.
But, since Minnesota's eight game losing skid after a win in their home opener, the Wolves have won three out of their last five games with some very impressive outings. Most notably handing the Detroit Pistons their second loss at the Palace this season.
However, against the Nuggets they're going to have to be great because Denver's had Minnesota's number since they traded Kevin Garnett before the 2007-08 season. Since that trade, the Nuggets have won six straight meetings in this series since losing, 99-94, at Minnesota on Feb. 14, 2007. Furthermore, the Nuggets, who lost on Thanksgiving to the Hornets, are 9-3 since acquiring Chauncey Billups and haven't lost consecutive games with the Denver native either.
With all that said, the T-Wolves are a very good team. They're statistically in the NBA's top five in assists per game (2nd), total turnovers (3rd), opposing offensive rebounding per game(5th), opposing steals per game (1st), and field goals attempted per game (4th), and are right on the cusp of having six players averaging double-digit scoring with Craig Smith now averaging 9.4. ppg after scoring 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Friday's win against the Thunder. Plus, they have Al Jefferson. Big Al is having another fantastic season so far with averages of 22.5 points (10th in the NBA) and 10.1 rebounds (7th in the NBA) which puts him in the elite 20/10 category along with only three other All-Stars: Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, and Chris Bosh.
Nene and Al Jefferson is going to be a battle to behold, Carmelo Anthony and Randy Foye are always entertaining, and Mike Miller's hair is always good for a laugh! Be sure to head over to TWolves Blog for everything Timberwolves, and as always...
The Timberwolves have held fourth quarter leads in eight of their ten losses, including a loss to the Nuggets on November 16th, 90-84 , at the Pepsi Center.
But, since Minnesota's eight game losing skid after a win in their home opener, the Wolves have won three out of their last five games with some very impressive outings. Most notably handing the Detroit Pistons their second loss at the Palace this season.
However, against the Nuggets they're going to have to be great because Denver's had Minnesota's number since they traded Kevin Garnett before the 2007-08 season. Since that trade, the Nuggets have won six straight meetings in this series since losing, 99-94, at Minnesota on Feb. 14, 2007. Furthermore, the Nuggets, who lost on Thanksgiving to the Hornets, are 9-3 since acquiring Chauncey Billups and haven't lost consecutive games with the Denver native either.
With all that said, the T-Wolves are a very good team. They're statistically in the NBA's top five in assists per game (2nd), total turnovers (3rd), opposing offensive rebounding per game(5th), opposing steals per game (1st), and field goals attempted per game (4th), and are right on the cusp of having six players averaging double-digit scoring with Craig Smith now averaging 9.4. ppg after scoring 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds in Friday's win against the Thunder. Plus, they have Al Jefferson. Big Al is having another fantastic season so far with averages of 22.5 points (10th in the NBA) and 10.1 rebounds (7th in the NBA) which puts him in the elite 20/10 category along with only three other All-Stars: Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, and Chris Bosh.
Nene and Al Jefferson is going to be a battle to behold, Carmelo Anthony and Randy Foye are always entertaining, and Mike Miller's hair is always good for a laugh! Be sure to head over to TWolves Blog for everything Timberwolves, and as always...
Go Nuggets!
2 comments:
Did I mention how much I hate George Karl and his erratic rotations? What happened to Balkman? Where was JR? Who the HELL is Chucky Atkins and why is he shooting the ball again?
Garbage-ass bastard.. sick of it. I don't even care that we won that one.. I just see him pissing away our post-season by not playing the most talented 5 that we'll NEED to have a chance against the better teams. If he thinks we're winning playing Dahntay Jones, Chucky Atkins, and Anthony Carter for a combined 66 minutes, he's got another thing coming.
Bleh, so pissed right now. ATKINS? Seriously? Joke.
I hear ya, I hear ya, but I think George was just saving his top reserves for what should be a battle tomorrow night with the Rockets.
Remember, the Nuggets will have played four games in five nights after tomorrow's game against Houston.
Thanks for reading,
The Nugg Doctor
Post a Comment