Wolves gameday
8 P.M. at Denver • FSN-plus, 830-AM
Preview: The Timberwolves ended their four-game homestand by ending a four-game losing streak with their 123-122 overtime victory over the Lakers on Wednesday. Now they get consecutive road games at Denver and Phoenix. But the Wolves need to recommit to defense; they let the Lakers, the worst-shooting team in the league, shoot 51.6 percent Wednesday. … The injury-plagued Nuggets had ended an eight-game losing streak with consecutive road victories at Toronto and Philadelphia, but they began a three-game homestand with an 85-74 loss to Orlando in which the Nuggets shot 33.3 percent and scored only 27 second-half points.
Players to watch: Wolves C Karl-Anthony Towns is coming off a 26-point, 14-rebound game vs. the Lakers, his 10th double-double and fourth 20/10 game of his rookie season. He has had two such performances in his past three games. G Kevin Martin had a season-high 37 points vs. the Lakers, matching his best game with the Wolves. It was his 300th career 20-point game.
Numbers: Wednesday's victory was only the second time the Wolves have won despite being outshot. They are 2-10 in such games. The Wolves are 4-6 in two-possession games. The Wolves are allowing opponents to shoot 48.4 percent and score 108.8 points per game in their past five games. Denver's 30.5-percent shooting in a loss to the Wolves on Oct. 30 is the lowest by a Wolves opponent this season.
Injuries: Wolves C Nikola Pekovic (Achilles surgery) is out. G Kevin Martin (right wrist) is probable. … Denver F Wilson Chandler (hip surgery) and C Jusuf Nurkic (patellar tendon) are out. F Danilo Gallinari (left knee) is questionable. G Gary Harris (concussion) is doubtful.
kent youngblood
