MINNEAPOLIS — Saturday pitted the best scoring offense and worst scoring defense against each other.
Denver and Minnesota entered Saturday’s game averaging 107.5 points per game and allowing 108.5 points, respectively.
The Nuggets scored 113 in the 13-point win. The last time Denver failed to score 100 points against the Timberwolves was Nov. 16, 2008, in a game the Nuggets won 90-84. All the while the Nuggets have thrived, winning 15 of the past 16 meetings against the Wolves and eight in a row at the Target Center.
More Melo talk.
reported that, according to league sources, the Nuggets, Knicks and Timberwolves are discussing a three-way trade that would bring Anthony to New York.
In the proposed trade, New York would send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota and the Timberwolves would send Corey Brewer and a first-round pick to Denver, which also would receive Wilson Chandler from New York.
Nene battles Love.
Fresh off learning he would not make the all-star team as an injury- replacement for Yao Ming, Nene played the man selected instead — Kevin Love.
Commissioner David Stern added the Minnesota power forward to the Western Conference reserves Friday.
Statistically speaking Nene is having the best offensive season of his career. He is averaging a personal best 15.1 points per game and leading the league in field-goal percentage, shooting at a 64.1 clip. Even his free-throw accuracy has improved — 76.3 percent compared with 68.2 percent for his career.
But Love is averaging 21.3 points and 15.5 rebounds.
“He’s a tough player and has played amazing this season,” Nene said. “He deserves to be there.”
Andersen exits early.
Chris Andersen left the game midway through the second quarter grabbing his surgically repaired knee. The Nuggets staff reported fatigue as the reason for Andersen’s departure. He scored four points and blocked a shot in six minutes of play.
Smith fined for foul.
J.R. Smith was fined $25,000 for his flagrant foul, penalty two against Raja Bell in Friday’s game against Utah, it was announced by Stu Jackson, NBA executive vice president, basketball operations.
