Billups, Nuggets stay hot with win over Twolves

Chauncy Billups scored 26 points to help the Denver Nuggets defeat the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves 90-84 on Sunday night.  Denver managed to pick up the victory despite an abysmal 33% field goal percentage, and raised their record since acquiring Billups to 5-1.  The Timberwolves, meanwhile, continued to head in the other direction with their eighth straight loss.

Denver managed to prevail despite its woeful shooting night by virtue of nasty defensive play, which kept Minnesota’s shooting percentage down to a meager 39% for the game.  They kept the game close, and their scorers—Billups, along with JR Smith (who scored eight of his 14 points in the 4th quarter) made the baskets when they were needed.  When it was over, Nuggets coach George Karl sounded as much amused as he was pleased at the outcome:

"I don't know how many games in the league are won by 33-percent shooting. Maybe less than five probably all season long."

While the Nuggets have been red hot since the trade that sent Alan Iverson to Detroit for Billups, Minnesota has struggled.  The TWolves won their opening game and haven’t won since, though they continue to show improvement under coach Randy Wittman.  Minnesota rookie Kevin Lowe expressed the frustration of the team:

"We've been close almost every night. We've had five losses of under six points. It is tough. It's time to get a win."

TWolves coach Wittman suggested that what his team has yet to develop is the ability to finish games:

"It's tough. It's just tough. We have to make sure we give ourselves a chance to win the games at the end. We've done that. We can't lose focus of our play through three-and-a-half quarters."

In the victorious Nuggets’ locker room, Billups comments reflected the veteran leadership Denver was banking on him bringing to the team:

"A night like tonight, when you're not making them, when you can't do that, you've got to find other ways. You've got to buckle down defensively."

Denver coach Karl, meanwhile, empathized with the struggles of Minnesota coach Wittman.  His NBA coaching career got off to a rough start with an awful Cleveland team in 1984—after a 2-19 start it didn’t look like Karl would be able to cut it at the NBA level.

"Minnesota probably has had five games similar to that and can't close the door. I'm glad we got the win, but I hope Randy figures out how to get a win and get some confidence back with his team."

The Timberwolves have a few days off and will return to action on Wednesday night when they host the Philadelphia 76ers.  Denver will host the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night before starting on a tough road trip which will see them visit San Antonio and the LA Lakers on Wednesday and Friday.