Minnesota Timberwolves Team Report - November 4

(Basketball News) - The Minnesota Timberwolves try to make it two straight wins to start the season when they head to Denver to face the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center in a rematch of last season’s opening round of the Western Conference playoffs.

The Timberwolves eliminated Denver in five games in that series, as the Nuggets were making their first trip back to the postseason since 1995.

In its season-opener on Wednesday, Kevin Garnett scored 28 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead Minnesota over the New York Knicks, 99-93, at the Target Center.

Sam Cassell added 19 points and 11 assists for the Timberwolves, who had the best regular-season record (58-24) in a strong Western Conference a season ago. Garnett, the reigning league MVP, was held to only eight second-half points, but his defensive presence helped the Timberwolves hold the Knicks without a basket from the field over the final eight minutes on the way to victory.

Tonight’s contest marks the first set of back-to-back outings this season for Minnesota, who will play a total of 21 back-to-back sets this year. Last year, the Wolves went 13-7 in the second half of back-to-backs.

Minnesota was 27-14 away from home last season.

Last season, Minnesota took three of four from the Nuggets and has won 11 of 14 and 19 of its last 26 against Denver. The Nuggets have also been a generous host, dropping five of seven and six of their last nine to the Timberwolves in the Rockies.