Wolves gameday

Last update: November 1, 2007 - 8:10 PM

Preview: If the Wolves are opening the season with a lot of questions to be answered, the Nuggets go in with a lot of expectations to be met. Kenyon Martin is back, healthy, and paired with Marcus Camby to make a formidable front wall. Indeed, the biggest question in Denver is whether Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony can each get enough shots. In Wednesday's victory over Seattle the early answer was yes: Iverson scored 25 and Anthony 32. For the Wolves? Who will get the most minutes at point guard with Randy Foye out? Who, other than Al Jefferson, will be a consistent scoring threat? The two teams split four games last season, and that included a Wolves victory at Target Center on opening night.

Player to watch: Anthony averaged 28 points per game against the Wolves last season, leading the Nuggets in scoring in three of the four games. His 32 points against Seattle on Wednesday were the most ever by a Nuggets player in a season opener since 1999.

Numbers: None of the five players who started for the Wolves on opening day last season is still with the team. ... Minnesota has a 12-game winning streak in home openers. ... The Nuggets are 3-8 in Minneapolis since the 2001-02 season. The Nuggets, who led the league with 23.1 fastbreak points per game last season, got 35 in transition in Wednesday's victory over Seattle.

Injuries: For the Wolves, G Randy Foye (knee) is out. For Denver, G Anthony Carter (right hand), G Chucky Atkins (groin) and G J.R. Smith (serving second game of a three-game team suspension) are out.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD