The game against Minnesota Timberwolves, an unfancied team languishing at the bottom of the league should have been a walkthrough anyways for the Denver Nuggets. But at least during the first half of the game, it seemed the other way around. Raid after raid, the Timberwolves built up a heavy score line in their favor. By the end of the first half, the Minnesota team had built up a solid two digit lead over the Nuggets.
But it must be said here that something forced the Nuggets to play like the way they played in the first half. Obviously, it seemed like it was a ploy to lull the Minnesota team into a false sense of security. At least, what panned out for the Nuggets in the second half definitely seemed to suggest so! The game plan of the Nuggets changed, and suddenly you could find the team in an aggressive mould.
Leading the bandwagon was Carmelo Anthony. In the third period, Anthony made absolute mincemeat of the Timberwolves' defense, which by now was flying on seven skies after their amazing display in the first two quarters. By half time, the Timberwolves were leading 56-44, something that did not do any good to the pride of the Nuggets. After the halftime, Anthony turned in a stellar performance, which not only cut the lead, but also allowed Nuggets to move ahead 84-78 into the final period. The Nuggets in this time scored 40 points, something of a record by Nuggets' standards.
Kevin McHale, coach of the Timberwolves, believes that it was Anthony's charge in the third period that put paid to his team's aspirations. Surely, Anthony was on a roll, and he made the Timberwolves pay. The third period charge by Anthony gave the Nuggets the momentum they so much needed. Nuggets definitely do not let go such moments in their games. They size up the opportunity and make their opponents pay. This game was no different and Nuggets ended up winning 116-105 with a 32 point splurge in the final period.
Nuggets, with this game, clearly showed that they are no pushovers. They trailed the Timberwolves in the half time, but were quick to spot some weaknesses in the opposition. Importantly, they had enough reserves in their tank to suppress anything that was thrown at them. The way the Nuggets, especially Anthony played in the 3rd period, is a classic example of how you could turn things around in a game of basketball.
What this game would do would be two things - 1) Demoralize the Timberwolves even further, and 2) Give other teams some hope in their games against the Timberwolves.
It remains to be seen how the Nuggets fare from here on!
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