Week 7: Denver Wins Thriller - wolvesjr34's Dynasty

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Week 7: Denver Wins Thriller

Posted on May 26, 2011 at 07:45 AM.

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December 18th, 2010. The Wolves went into the fifth game of their road trip hoping that soon some minor injury woes would be over, with Martell Webster responding better to treatment for his back ailment, although Deandre Jordan still appeared to be a week or two away.

It was a tight contest through the first half with the Wolves leading by five points at the break with Beasley dominating on the boards and on the scorecard. Coming off the bench Eric Bledsoe was scoring well, 14 points in 7 minutes action, until he had to leave the game with a twisted ankle. This threw the Timberwolves rotations into mayhem, coming into the game with only 10 players really capable of making a contribution and having that cut down to nine was disastrous for the young pups.

Denver led by Wilson Chandler (27 points, 5 Rebounds) and Nene (16 points and 9 rebounds) started picking the reeling Wolves apart, taking advantage of their tiring legs and unfamiliar rotations. The Wolves looked to be headed to a double digits defeat as the Nuggets held on to a 12 point advantage with two and a half minutes to go. Coach Kurt Rambis used the final time out at this stage to give his team a breather, not realising how much this would come back to haunt him.

From the 2:03 moment in the fourth Isaiah Rider went on a tear, nailing 5 trey's and an and one to bring the Wolves within two as Lawson missed one of two free throws in the last 3 seconds on the intentional foul. Unfortunately for the Wolves having no time out meant they could not advance the ball and set up for an inbounds play. Flynn passed the ball to Rider, but he could not get his shot off on time and the Nuggets would be victorious on the night, 101 to 99.

Rider scored 20 of his 28 points for the night, in the final quarter, including 18 in the last 2 minutes. Beasley backed him up with 20 points and 10 rebounds, while Bledsoe's 14 in 7 minutes was the next best for the Wolves. Jonny Flynn scored 9 points and had 15 assists, but his turnover rate continues to be a problem, he had six on the night.

The Wolves only have two games in week eight as they wrap up their road trip against the Clippers before returning home to face Utah. The Wolves are now 22 and 6 on the season.