Minnesota News Network

  • Home
  • MNN Reporter Team
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Crime & Court
    • Health
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Weather & Natural Disaster
  • Sports
    • Gophers
    • Twins
    • High School Sports
    • Wild
    • Timberwolves & Lynx
    • Vikings
  • Minnesota Matters
  • Contact Us
    • Advertise with us
You are here: Home / Sports / Wolves host Denver

Wolves host Denver

February 2, 2019 By Minnesota News Network

The Denver Nuggets are enjoying their spot in rarefied air.

Coach Michael Malone is all for taking time to enjoy their stunning stature, but he doesn’t want anybody resting on their laurels.

The Nuggets are tied for first place in the Western Conference with the Golden State Warriors as they look for their sixth straight victory when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.

Denver has won 15 of its past 19 games after a resounding 136-122 home win over the Houston Rockets on Friday night, a result that prompted Malone to take a moment to soak in the efforts of a team with a 36-15 record.

“I think you have to along the way stop and appreciate what we’ve done,” Malone said during his postgame media session. “It’s a fine line because I’m not saying stop and celebrate and think that we’ve arrived, because we haven’t. We have so much more to do.

“But if you don’t enjoy the victories and don’t enjoy the moments, then what are you doing it for?”

All-Star center Nikola Jokic was his typical stellar self with 31 points (on 12-of-15 shooting), 13 rebounds and nine assists against the Rockets, but he didn’t even deliver his squad’s best performance on a night in which Denver scored 83 first-half points.

Third-year guard Malik Beasley stepped into a primary role with starting guards Jamal Murray (ankle) and Gary Harris (groin) sidelined and poured in a career-high 35 points on 12-of-17 shooting.

“I definitely think this is a statement performance to show the world who I am,” Beasley told reporters afterward. “I’m not just out there on the bench. I’m not just on this team with a lot of great players. I am a player.”

Beasley figures to see a lot of action again on Saturday, with Murray expected to sit out his fifth straight game and Harris doubtful.

Minnesota halted a two-game skid on Wednesday when All-Star center Karl-Anthony Towns knocked down a shot as time expired in overtime for a 99-97 home win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

Towns scored just 16 points after recording 20 or more in 16 of the previous 17 games. He is averaging 22.6 points and 12.1 rebounds and has 33 double-doubles.

“He’s been dominating all season long, putting up numbers,” Timberwolves small forward Andrew Wiggins told reporters of Towns. “He’s unstoppable. He gets double-teamed, triple-teamed every game.”

The Wolves have been short on point guards and hope to get Derrick Rose (ankle) back after a three-game absence. Jeff Teague (foot) will miss his sixth straight game, and Tyus Jones (ankle) will sit out his eighth consecutive contest.

Combo guard Jerryd Bayless was pressed into 43 minutes at point guard against the Grizzlies and posted a career-high 12 assists. Bayless also scored 19 points while recording his fifth career double-double.

“It’s been 11 years for me to get this opportunity, and I’m trying to take advantage of it as much as I can,” Bayless told reporters after the contest. “I know how rare and how hard it is for these to come about.”

Minnesota forward Robert Covington (ankle) will miss his 15th straight game, and there remains no timetable for his return. He did participate in some light shooting after Friday’s practice.

Denver power forward Paul Millsap scored 25 points — matching a season high — as the Nuggets recorded a 103-101 road win over the Timberwolves on Nov. 21.

###

Copyright © 2019
TTWN Media Networks LLC

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Sports, Timberwolves & Lynx

Sano in shape, ready to go for 2019

Miguel Sano walked into the Minnesota Twins’ clubhouse just before 8 a.m., looking trimmed down in rainbow sneakers and a black sweat suit. ”You look good,” said catcher Jason Castro, a sentiment echoed by teammates between hugs and handshakes with the 25-year-old slugger. A slimmer Sano is a promising sign for Minnesota. He struggled with […]

Wild lose to red hot Blues

Jordan Binnington made 31 saves and the St. Louis Blues posted their third straight shutout, beating the Minnesota Wild 4-0 on Sunday for their 10th straight victory. Binnington made 21 saves to blank Arizona on Thursday night, and Jake Allen stopped 32 shots in a 3-0 victory at Colorado on Saturday. St. Louis hasn’t allowed […]

Gopher women win sixth straight, routing Penn State

All five starters scored at least 14 points as Minnesota (19-7, 8-7 B1G) won its sixth straight game by crushing Penn State (10-15, 3-11) Sunday afternoon at Williams Arena, 97-67. The Gophers’ six straight conference wins tie for the third longest in program history. The only longer streaks came when they won 11 in a […]

Follow us on Facebook

Follow us on Facebook

Copyright © 2019 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC