Nuggets Vs. Timberwolves Preview: Denver, Minnesota Battle For Playoff Position

On Friday night, the Denver Nuggets got clobbered by the Utah Jazz in a crucial road game, temporarily dropping out of playoff position as the Jazz rose above them. On Sunday, the Nuggets will play another game with direct playoff implications, as they travel up north to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Wolves, who are only 3-7 in their last 10 games, have hit a skid since the loss of point guard Ricky Rubio, but they are still very much in the hunt for one of the Western Conference's last few playoff spots, and a victory over the Nuggets would be a big boost to their hopes of making the playoffs for the first time since the Kevin Garnett era.

Minnesota is coming off of a 149-140 overtime loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, but in that game Kevin Love scored 51 points and 14 rebounds, and guarding the MVP candidate will be a big test for the young Denver frontline of Kenneth Faried, Timofey Mozgov and JaVale McGee. Defense in general is a place where the Nuggets seriously need to improve if they are going to clinch a playoff spot. Even taking into account their fast pace, Denver has given up an average of 108 points per game in their last five games.

Game date/time: Sunday, March 25, 1:30 p.m. MT

Location: Target Center, Minneapolis, Minn.

TV: ALT

For more on this game, stick with SB Nation Denver. For more on the Nuggets visit Denver Stiffs, and for more on the T-Wolves head over to Canis Hoopus. For news, notes and analysis around the league, check out SB Nation's NBA news hub.