8 p.m. at Denver • Pepsi Center• FSN, 830-AM

Denver close behind Wolves in standings and thriving at home

Preview: Having ended a five-game homestand with a 3-2 mark — including Monday's fourth-quarter comeback win over Portland — the Wolves now head out on the road, where they will play five of their next six games. Jimmy Butler and Jamal Crawford combined for 27 of Minnesota's 32 points in the fourth quarter Monday, helping the Wolves rally from 10 down inside of eight minutes. It was the first time since February 2012 the Wolves did that. Denver, which sits 1½ games behind the first-place Wolves in the Northwest Division, is coming off a one-point loss in Oklahoma City on Monday. Much like the Wolves, the Nuggets have been alternating wins and losses, having gone 8-8 in their past 16 games.

Players to watch: Butler is coming off his fourth 30-point game with the Wolves. He scored the last four points of the Wolves' win over Portland, all from the free throw line, the final two with 2.5 seconds left. The Nuggets feature a balanced attack that has five players averaging between 14.8 and 16.1 points. G Gary Harris is averaging 16.1 points and 3.3 assists. G Will Barton is averaging 15.4 points and 3.7 assists.

Numbers: The Wolves have had nine games decided by three or fewer points and are 5-4 in those games. The Wolves have had four straight games with 10 or fewer turnovers. The Nuggets are 11-2 at home, having won eight straight in Pepsi Center. Their .846 home winning percentage was second best in the league after Sunday's games.

Injuries: Wolves F Nemanja Bjelica (left mid-foot sprain) is questionable. F Paul Millsap (left wrist) is out. G Emmanuel Mudiay (right ankle) and Harris (right elbow) are questionable.

Kent Youngblood