Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler push Nuggets by Timberwolves
Kenneth Faried recorded his fifth double-double this season, scoring 26 points and registering 25 rebounds, to help the Denver Nuggets slip by the Minnesota Timberwolves, 106-102. Denver (13-17) picked up the win after falling to the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday.
Faried shot 11-15 and went 4-5 from the free throw line, in a quality offensive outing. Other top performers for Denver were Ty Lawson with 16 points and 11 assists, and Timofey Mozgov with 11 points and 14 rebounds. Despite the loss, Thaddeus Young put up 23 points for Minnesota on 10-21 shooting from the field and 3-4 from the free throw line. Gorgui Dieng chipped in 14 points and 13 rebounds.
As expected, Denver controlled the offensive glass in this matchup, finishing with an OR% of 42.3%. They rank third in the NBA in OR% at 28.1%. Conversely, the defense of Minnesota is 28th in the league on the backboards with a DR% of 72.0%. The Timberwolves posted an eFG% of just 41.3%, including 20.0% from 3-point range. This year, they are 1-8 when they record marks below 45% and 30% in those respective categories. On the other hand, the Nuggets are 3-1 when holding their opponents to such low percentages.
Minnesota (5-23) has now dropped their last seven straight games.
Coming up next, the Nuggets battle the Toronto Raptors, who are 22-7 on the year. The Timberwolves meet the Golden State Warriors, currently 23-5 this season. The Nuggets are 0-1 versus Toronto this season. The Timberwolves are 0-1 versus Golden State this season.
