Denver Nuggets vs. Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
Dec 15, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) blocks the shot by Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) in the second half at Target Center. The Nuggets won 112-100. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
The Matchup: Denver Nuggets (12-23; Away 7-12) at Minnesota (12-23; Home 5-13)
Location: Target Center – Minneapolis, MN
Time: Wednesday, January 6th at 7:00 pm CT
How To Watch: Altitude
Betting Line (Bovada): MIN -4
Projected Starting Lineups:
Denver: PG Jameer Nelson, SG Gary Harris, SF Danilo Gallinari, PF Kenneth Faried, C Joffrey Lauvergne
Minnesota: PG Ricky Rubio, SG Andrew Wiggins, SF Tayshaun Prince, PF Kevin Garnett, C Karl Anthony-Towns
Denver and Minnesota enter the game on very similar paths. The Nuggets are riding a six game skid while the Timberwolves have a three game losing streak of their own.
With one of these teams making a turn for the best tonight, we take a look at what the Nuggets need to do to right the ship.
Past Meetings, Returns:
The Nuggets and Timberwolves have already matched up three times this season, with the Nuggets winning the last two with the scored being 111-108 and 112-100, respectively.
Denver won both of those games without point guard Emmanuel Mudiay and center Jusuf Nurkić due to injuries, but it looks like they will have those bodies in service tonight.
With both guys not in the starting lineup, the Nuggets could utilize their recovering stars off the bench.
Nurkić will surely get some minutes as he continues to find his legs after returning from knee surgery. Mudiay could also see some action, as he continues to heal from his ankle injury suffered in early December.
Both of them create great opportunities for Coach Malone to play with lineups and get a feel for how everybody is gelling together as the season gets deeper.
Nuggets’ Key Player:
The last time the Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves shooting guard Randy Foye was key.
He totaled 19 points off the bench shooting 5-6 from beyond the arc. This represented a big game for Foye, as he’s struggled over his career against his former team, averaging only 6.3 points per game.
The shooting guard’s play could help take the pressure off of Will Barton who has to step up his play for the Nuggets averaging 21.1 points over the last 10 games, nine of them being losses.
With Foye’s great play again against the Timberwolves added to Barton’s continued leadership, the Nuggets chances of a third straight win against Minnesota increase greatly.
Expect another high scoring shootout from these two team, but Denver holds on to renew their winning ways.
Score Prediction:
Denver 108 Minnesota 102