MINNEAPOLIS — Before Wednesday’s Nuggets-Timberwolves game, acting Nuggets coach Adrian Dantley reminisced about his 1980s playing days against Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis.
“He made me work on every possession,” Dantley said.
And such was the case Wednesday, when Rambis’ team made Dantley’s work and work to finally snatch a 110-102 road win against the lowly Wolves.
In the third quarter, the Nuggets trailed by as many as eight points, and one wondered if the nightmare of the Nov. 29 loss in Denver would haunt the Nuggets again. But Denver (43-21) suddenly turned on the switch late and ended the third quarter up seven, the Nuggets’ biggest lead to that point. Nuggets guard J.R. Smith hit three 3s in the quarter, each shot rejuvenating the Nuggets a little more.
In fact, Smith was scoreless at halftime, missing all of his four of his shot attempts. But when the night was over, he was 6-for-15 for 15 points.
Denver reserve post Chris Andersen finished the game with 14 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks, including an emphatic energy-zapper in the fourth quarter. But Birdman’s total impact didn’t show up on the stat sheet. Numerous times, notably in the second half, his presence alone forced players to shoot uncomfortable shots in the paint. Andersen clearly led all players in shot-alters.
Dantley filled in for coach George Karl, who remained in Denver while he undergoes treatment for throat and neck cancer. It’s possible that Karl could rejoin the team Friday in New Orleans.
With the loss, Minnesota fell to 14-51 and lost the season series 3-1 to the Nuggets.
Benjamin Hochman: 303-954-1294 or bhochman@denverpost.com
