The Nuggets’ preseason opener was a breeze.
Next, they’ll face a gust.
The Nuggets dispatched the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-95 on Friday night, as reserve J.R. Smith finished with 21 points and Chris Andersen grabbed 11 boards.
Now, they’re off to Indian Wells, Calif., to play the Phoenix Suns on Saturday in the NBA’s first outdoor basketball game in more than 35 years.
The forecast is calling for windy conditions — better keep those jump shots low.
“I can’t wait,” Smith said. “I have not played outside in a while.”
The exhibition game will be played at the 16,000-seat Indian Wells Tennis Garden, a venue that will be converted into a hoops playground.
Allen Iverson said he likes the concept, but won’t be launching any floaters into the breeze. He planned to stay behind to get treatment on his swollen left knee, an injury that flared up as he sat on the bench in the fourth quarter.
“I want to be a part of it; I want to play in it,” said Iverson, who had nine assists in nearly 23 minutes Friday night. “But I can’t start off the season struggling with an injury.”
Denver (1-0) led by as many as 25 points in the third quarter, before the Timberwolves went on a late spurt, climbing within 13 points midway through the fourth. Andersen’s 3-pointer put an end to the rally and the Timberwolves’ two-game preseason winning streak. Andersen, a fan favorite nicknamed “Birdman,” was making his return to the Nuggets.
