The Denver Nuggets are hoping to see a return of Carmelo Anthony as they face the Minnesota Timberwolves on the tail end of a back-to-back.
Having snapped a season high three-game losing streak last night against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Nuggets (17-13) are hoping to continue their winning ways against a Minnesota team (8-24) that has had difficulty finding wins this season.
Anchored by stalwart power forward Kevin Love's NBA leading 15.5 rebound per game, the T-Wolves rank first in the NBA in team rpg at 45.2. The Nuggets had difficulty early on with an interior presence, but since the return of Kenyon Martin and the Birdman, Chris Andersen, the Nuggs front line has tightened up considerably. Tonight will look more like the start of the season though, as M-Mart will miss the game with a sore knee.
On the offensive end, with Melo out for the past four games, Chauncey Billups has assumed the role of scoring leader, pouring in 23 per game over the stretch. Luckily for Denver, Billups hasn't had to carry the entire load himself, as evident by all five starters scoring double figures last night.
In Melo's absence J.R. Smith has started and has been hit or miss, registering point totals of 22, 6, 9 and 17 in his four starts.
The Timberwolves are led in scoring by former Kansas St. Wildcat Michael Beasley.
The game tips tonight at 6:00 p.m. MT and can be seen on Altitude.