The Minnesota Timberwolves are going to have to stay hot down the stretch if they want to make the playoffs. They didn’t hurt their cause on Monday with a 132-128 win in Denver, ending their five-game road trip.
The win moved the Wolves above the elusive .500 mark.
Well… #Wolves are 30-29 (4 games out L column for 8 seed) with easiest 6-game stretch of season coming up. We shall see.
— Phil Mackey 🎙 (@PhilMackey) March 4, 2014
That’s not to say the victory didn’t come without its intense moments. Despite building a 23 point lead the Wolves barely held on to it. Denver fought back to create a few dramatic moments in a wild fourth quarter, but the Wolves made enough free throws down the stretch to save the victory.
Kevin Love had another monster game for the Wolves, he finished with 33 points and 19 rebounds. He had posted the double-double midway through the second quarter.
Nikola Pekovic was also near a double-double for the Wolves. He scored 16 points and grabbed nine boards. Corey Brewer put up big numbers in the second half against his former team. Brewer finished with 16 points.
The Timberwolves got out to a quick start, as they put up 40 points in the first quarter, and built a 23 point lead at one point in the game. They still had to fight off a Denver squad that battled back though to make it a game late.
The Wolves won the game at the free throw line making 52 of 64 from the stripe and setting the franchise record, according to the Pioneer Press. The Nuggets got to the foul line just 25 times in comparison.
Ty Lawson returned for Denver. He put up 31 points in the loss. Wilson Chandler had 25 for Denver, while Randy Foye knocked down four threes and scored 22 points for Denver.
The Wolves (30-29) host New York on Wednesday.
