Nuggets’ home win streak ends at 17

The Denver Nuggets (12-5) gave the Minnesota Timberwolves their second win of the year Sunday night at the Pepsi Center.  Denver, which came into Sunday night on a 17-game win streak at home dating back to last year, lost the game because of poor coaching, bad officiating and lucky shooting from the (2-15) Timberwolves.

Forwards Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes killed the Nuggets inside with a combined 41 points and 12 rebounds.  Damien Wilkins of Minnesota also contributed 12 rebounds to Minnesota’s total of 46.

The Nuggets were outrebounded again even though they grabbed 43. Kenyon Martin and Nene had 24 between them.  Carmelo Anthony contributed 32 points but could have had more.  Melo dropped 19 in the first quarter and then Karl replaced him with Joey Graham for most of the second.

Denver’s early 19-point lead dwindled to 14 in the second quarter with the key reserves not doing anything.  The bench combined for 19 points and five rebounds.

Later in the third, the starters were back out and Minnesota went on a 14-0 run.  Instead of subbing in J.R. Smith for offensive relief, Karl let the Nuggets play while taking only one timeout during the run.

The Nuggets later got down to an eight-point deficit and were never able to regain composure.  Karl needed to make a sub after the 14-point run Minnesota had on Denver, but he didn’t.

There were missed calls on Anthony all night, especially after he gained a technical foul in the third quarter.  Minnesota then went on a run in the second half, making shot after shot.

The defense was soft at times, but even with contested shots the Timberwolves found a way to make them.

This is the most disappointing loss of the season, and Denver will look to patch things up when it takes on the Golden State Warriors at home on Tuesday night.