GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: MINNESOTA (1-8) at DENVER (8-4)

NBA: MINNESOTA (1-8) at DENVER (8-4)

<h3>Nuggets aim to get back on track vs. struggling Timberwolves</h3>



<div class="pre">Minnesota (1-8) at Denver (8-4) 9:00 pm EST</div>

DENVER (Ticker) - The Denver Nuggets had their six-game winningstreak snapped in their last contest. They will look to getback on track against one of the NBA's worst teams.

The Nuggets will host the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves, whoown the league's worst record, at the Pepsi Center on Friday.

Entering Wednesday's play, Denver had won six in a row - most inimpressive fashion - netting at least 110 points in eachtriumph. The high-powered Nuggets won five of those contests bydouble figures.


However, they dropped a 101-90 decision to the surprising LosAngeles Clippers (6-4) at the Staples Center on Wednesday.Denver shot just 39 percent (34-of-87) and superstar guard AllenIverson turned the ball over eight times.


But the Nuggets, who have won four straight at home, will be atough test for the inexperienced Timberwolves, who have lost allthree of their road games - including loses against the lowlySacramento Kings and New York Knicks.


Minnesota will have the unenviable task of slowing down the duoof Iverson (24.9) and Carmelo Anthony (25.4), who are two of theleague's top scorers. Additionally, center Marcus Camby leadsthe NBA in rebounding with 15.3 per game.


The Timberwolves have a revamped roster after trading franchisecenterpiece Kevin Garnett in the offseason. But they have nothad their entire crew together so far this campaign.

Guard Randy Foye still is weeks away from a return afterrecovering from a knee injury and point guard Sebastian Telfairmissed Wednesday's contest to attend his grandmother's funeral.

In that game, LeBron James scored 45 points as the ClevelandCavaliers handed the Timberwolves their third straight loss,97-86. Al Jefferson scored 30 points for Minnesota, which wascalled out by coach Randy Wittman after the game.


"We have guys that, when we get punched in the mouth, we quit.We stop playing instead of throwing something back," Wittmansaid. "Whether it hits or doesn't hit, we have to throwsomething back."


Including Friday, Minnesota plays three of its next four gameson the road against Western Conference powers Denver, NewOrleans and Dallas.

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA VS DENVER - INACTIVES

MINNESOTA DENVER

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
T RATLIFF RIGHT KNEE INJURY C ATKINS GROIN PULL
M DOLEAC COACH'S DECISION S HUNTER KNEE INJURY
R FOYE LEFT KNEE INJURY NENE THUMB INJURY</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA VS DENVER - INACTIVES

MINNESOTA DENVER

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
T RATLIFF RIGHT KNEE INJURY C ATKINS GROIN PULL
M DOLEAC COACH'S DECISION S HUNTER KNEE INJURY
R FOYE LEFT KNEE INJURY NENE THUMB INJURY
L KLEIZA LEFT ANKLE SPRAIN</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">MINNESOTA AT DENVER - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


MINNESOTA DENVER

F Mark Madsen F Kenyon Martin
F Ryan Gomes F Carmelo Anthony
C Al Jefferson C Marcus Camby
G Rashad McCants G Allen Iverson
G Marko Jaric G Yakhouba Diawara

OFFICIALS: Jim Clark
Rodney Mott
Eric Lewis</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 4
DENVER 8 8:45 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 10
DENVER 14 5:45 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 16
DENVER 18 2:53 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 22
DENVER 22 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 22 22
DENVER 22 22 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

MIN - AL JEFFERSON 6, RYAN GOMES 4, MARKO
JARIC 4
DEN - CARMELO ANTHONY 14, KENYON MARTIN 6,
MARCUS CAMBY 2</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 30
DENVER 29 9:07 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 40
DENVER 33 5:51 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 49
DENVER 40 2:42 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 56
DENVER 51 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 22 34 56
DENVER 22 29 51 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

MIN - ANTOINE WALKER 15, AL JEFFERSON 8, RYAN
GOMES 7
DEN - CARMELO ANTHONY 16, KENYON MARTIN 12,
EDUARDO NAJERA 7</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 58
DENVER 56 9:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 65
DENVER 58 5:19 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 70
DENVER 68 2:21 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 74
DENVER 75 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
MINNESOTA 22 34 18 74
DENVER 22 29 24 75 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

MIN - ANTOINE WALKER 18, RYAN GOMES 12, AL
JEFFERSON 10
DEN - CARMELO ANTHONY 23, KENYON MARTIN 14,
EDUARDO NAJERA 10</div>

 

NBA: MINNESOTA at DENVER

<div class="pre">NBA MINNESOTA 74
DENVER 78 9:18 LEFT, 4TH QTR</div>