Point Guard-less Nuggets Hold Off The Timberwolves

The already short-handed Denver Nuggets found themselves down two point guards and with one starter down the stretch on Monday. However, the Nuggets willed themselves to victory and held off the young and talented Minnesota Timberwolves in overtime.

Starting point guard Ty Lawson went down hard in the first half and sat out the second half due to a left ankle sprain. Due to the severity of the injury there is a chance that the Nuggets hold out Lawson until after the All-Star Break. Andre Miller was ejected in the third quarter after arguing a questionable call and so the Nuggets had to go with little-used and very inexperienced rookie point guard Julyan Stone.

• Kenneth Faried may not have been the player of the game on Monday but he was a big part on why they won the game. Faried got his second double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. He also blocked three shots and had two steals and did a solid job on Kevin Love, who shot only 7-for-22 on the game and had four turnovers.
• Al Harrington scored a season-best 31 points and while he missed all five of his free throws he did hit a three to force overtime and had a basket in overtime. However, it was his leadership that helped lift the Nuggets in the first half.

Restricted’ free agent Wilson Chandler was at the game and could sign by the end of the week. No doubt he’d be a nice addition the Nuggets, who currently have four players that may not play due to injuries (Nene, Lawson, Danilo Gallinari and Rudy Fernandez) and another (Arron Afflalo), who battled through the injury. No doubt the Nuggets are eager for All-Star Break for a chance for the team to heal. Nene, Fernandez and Lawson should be healthy to go after the break and Gallinari is making good progress to be back on the field and the Nuggets schedule should be much easier so there is a light at the end of the tunnel.