Nuggets limping into the All-Star break tonight against Wolves

With only Darko Milicic missing, the Wolves are healthy as can be, at least compared to the Denver team they face tonight at Pepsi Center.

February 21, 2012 at 3:33AM
Wolves center Darko Milicic attempted a hook shot over Dallas' Brendan Haywood on Wednesday.
Wolves center Darko Milicic attempted a hook shot over Dallas' Brendan Haywood on Wednesday. (Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

With only Darko Milicic missing, the Wolves are healthy as can be, at least compared to the Denver team they face tonight at Pepsi Center.

The Nuggets again will be without Nene (calf strain), Danilo Gallinari (ankle sprain) and Rudy Fernandez (back) one night after they lost 124-118 in overtime at Oklahoma City.

The Thunder needed 51 points from Kevin Durant, 40 from Russell Westbrook and a triple-double from Serge Ibaka just to beat the undermaned Nuggets.

You'll see a familiar face starting for Denver tonight: That's right, former Timberwolf Corey Brewer.

I chatted with Corey before tonight's game -- all 180 pounds of him -- and he told me pass a message along to Nikola Pekovic: He said he's coming for you tonight, Pek.

The Wolves will play without Darko!, who played the final one-tenth of a second in last night's really, truly last-second victory over Philadelphia at Target Center.

(Malcolm Lee, too, is still not ready to play).

Rick Adelman said Darko! stayed in Minnesota rather than accompany the team because of a stomach muscle issue. Not sure if it he did it batted that desperation lob pass at the final buzzer or if it was pre-existing.

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This is a game that, as we hit the 66-game season's halfway point tonight, could have playoff implications.

Yes, you read that right.

The P word: Playoffs.

The Wolves are one game behind the Nuggets, who are neck-and-neck for that eighth and final playoff spot.

about the writer

about the writer

Jerry Zgoda

Reporter

Jerry Zgoda covers Minnesota United FC and Major League Soccer for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

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