"Carmelo Anthony usually owns the preseason. After scoring 24 points Friday in the Nuggets' win over Portland, he entered Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves leading the NBA in scoring for the second straight preseason. But tough defense, most notably from Martell Webster, limited Anthony to 2-of-9 shooting in the Timberwolves' 122-108 victory over the Nuggets at the Target Center. Anthony shot 58 percent against Portland, the Nuggets' preseason opener. "That's my guy," Anthony said of Webster. "Every time we go against each other, he plays hard. I always like the challenge." Anthony finished with 19 points, thanks to 15-of-16 shooting on free throws — a lot of that because of a rookie referee who helped call three technical fouls and 63 personal fouls during the game. Anthony had five personals of his own, the last of which sent him to the bench, never to return, with 8:27 remaining in the third quarter. No ball control. The Nuggets had won two of the past three preseason games against Minnesota and 12-of-13 during the regular season. Sloppy play changed those marks in Minnesota's favor Tuesday. "We never got into one of those flows or rhythms offensively," coach George Karl said. Carelessness with the basketball resulted in 25 turnovers and 27 Minnesota points. Denver's Arron Afflalo committed six turnovers, J.R. Smith five. "We were just loose with the ball," Anthony said. "We were turning the ball over ourselves." Smith had a different opinion. "I think we were overpassing a bit," Smith said. "We had open looks early and just didn't take them." Either way, Karl was disappointed with his team's effort." Read more: http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_16323630
