SB Nation Denver - Nuggets Vs. Timberwolves: Shorthanded Denver Wins Behind Chauncey Billups' 36 Pointshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48907/denver-fave.png2010-12-29T21:01:52-07:00http://denver.sbnation.com/rss/stream/16661412010-12-29T21:01:52-07:002010-12-29T21:01:52-07:00 Nuggets Vs. Timberwolves: Shorthanded Denver Wins Behind Chauncey Billups' 36 Points
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> emerged with a hard-fought 119-113 victory over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> at the Target Center on Wednesday night. The Nuggets did this without Carmelo Anthony, Al Harrington, Kenyon Martin or Nene playing in the game. Their absence manifested itself early on when the Timberwolves held a 30-23 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Nuggets shot only 32 percent from the field at that point.</p>
<p>However, Chauncey Billups turned into the hero with his season-high 36 points. He was 9-of-14 from the field (6-of-6 from beyond the arc) and made 12-of-13 free throws. For good measure, he added five assists and three steals. He did, however, also lead the team with five turnovers. Fellow point guard Ty Lawson contributed 19 points, five assists and five rebounds off the bench.</p>
<p>Melvin Ely and Renaldo Balkman benefited from the absence of the Nuggets' front court starters. Ely started the game and grabbed six rebounds (five offensive). Balkman played a season-high 19 minutes and contributed 10 points. Balkman accentuated his scoring with three thunderous dunks while going 4-5 from the field. Chris Andersen led the team in rebounds with seven. Shelden Williams, who has lost playing time to Andersen and Kenyon Martin, had four steals.</p>
<p>Michael Beasley scored 33 for the T-Wolves (8-25), and Kevin Love registered his 19th double-double with 26 points and 14 boards. Luke Ridenour also contributed 20 in the loss.</p>
<p>The Nuggets (18-13) are finished for the rest of 2010 and will start 2011 on Jan. 1 with a game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a>.</p>
<p><i>Evan Pfaff contributed to this update</i>.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2010/12/29/1903506/nuggets-vs-timberwolves-score-chauncey-billups-36-pointsRuss Oates2010-12-29T13:14:54-07:002010-12-29T13:14:54-07:00Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony To Return To Team Thursday
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<p>In a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/nuggets/news/anthony_return_12_28_2010.html">statement posted </a>on their official web site, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> stated that forward <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> is expected to return tomorrow, a day after the Nuggets play the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.canishoopus.com/">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> tonight.</p>
<blockquote>Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony is scheduled to return to the team Thursday after spending time grieving his sister Michelle’s death.</blockquote>
<p>In all Melo will have missed five games after the loss of his sister Michelle last week. The Nuggets are 1-3 in four games so far, losing to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.libertyballers.com/">Philadelphia 76ers</a>. They beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blazersedge.com/">Portland Trail Blazers</a>, who were without the services of <span>Brandon Roy</span>, on Tuesday night.</p>
<p>Anthony's first game back will also be the first game of 2011, when the team hosts the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a> on January 1. This will be the first of four contests between the team, and the Kings are a bad, bad team. They are 5-23 and currently on an eight-game losing streak--exactly the kind of team the Nuggets should pick up some wins against.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/denver-nuggets/2010/12/29/1902687/denver-nuggets-carmelo-anthony-to-return-to-team-tomorrowMizzou Hoops2010-12-29T08:34:18-07:002010-12-29T08:34:18-07:00Nuggets Vs. Timberwolves: Where Is The Love? K-Mart Out, Melo’s Status Unknown
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<p>The <a href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Denver Nuggets</a> are hoping to see a return of <span>Carmelo Anthony</span> as they face the <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> on the tail end of a back-to-back.</p>
<p>Having snapped a season high three-game losing streak last night against the <a href="https://www.blazersedge.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Trail Blazers</a>, 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.</p>
<p>Anchored by stalwart power forward <span>Kevin Love</span>'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 <span>Kenyon Martin</span> and the Birdman, <span>Chris Andersen</span>, 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.</p>
<p>On the offensive end, with Melo out for the past four games, <span>Chauncey Billups</span> 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.</p>
<p>In Melo's absence <span>J.R. Smith</span> has started and has been hit or miss, registering point totals of 22, 6, 9 and 17 in his four starts.</p>
<p>The Timberwolves are led in scoring by former Kansas St. Wildcat <span>Michael Beasley</span>.</p>
<p>The game tips tonight at 6:00 p.m. MT and can be seen on Altitude.</p>
https://denver.sbnation.com/2010/12/29/2327130/nuggets-vs-timberwolves-where-is-the-love-k-mart-out-melos-statusMizzou Hoops