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Carmelo's Nuggets down Wolves 106-94 with strong fourth quarter
KG 22/16/7; Davis 21/5/7; Banks 17; Anthony 32
*Box Score *First Half Video Highlights
*Nuggets 106, Timberwolves 94, AP
*Maturing McCants getting more play, AP
(Denver 3/31/06 by Poundmaster) The Denver Nuggets came alive in the fourth quarter to steadily build a 14 point lead with 2 minutes to go and coasted to a 106-94 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight. Carmelo Anthony had 32 points for the Nuggets. Kevin Garnett had a 22/16 double-double and Ricky Davis contributed 21 points. Marcus Banks had 17.
The game was lost by the Wolves on the offensive boards, where Denver was given the gift of 19 offensive rebounds to the Wolves' 7. The Wolves actually outshot the Nuggets by 49% to 40% in the game. The Timberwolves stayed even with the Nuggets from three point range.
Garnett and Davis led the Timberwolves through a sluggish third quarter to go up on the Nuggets 76-75. Turnovers hurt the Wolves and kept them from a larger lead.
The Timberwolves had 19 first half fast break points and shot over 55% but still trailed the Nuggets by one point at the half 55-54. Carmelo Anthony led the Nuggets with 15 points. Kevin Garnet had 12 points and 8 rebounds in the first half. Rookie Rashad McCants started the game and had 8 points early. Marcus Banks had 8 points and 5 assists in the half. Ricky Davis had 11 points and 4 assists.
The Nuggets struggled on both ends of the court for most of the first three quarters. They missed alley-oops and easy shots under the basket. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, shot 50.8 percent from the floor by the end of the third quarter, compared with 38.6 by Denver.
Greg Buckner scored five straight points to pull Denver within 76-75 to start the fourth.
The rally continued in the fourth quarter, with the Nuggets forcing two straight turnovers and getting two dunks by Marcus Camby and Reggie Evans to take a 79-76 lead with 10:53 remaining.
Denver would never trail again, with Patterson scoring five points during a 11-5 run to give the Nuggets a 90-81 lead with 6:59 remaining. |
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