Nuggets 130, Timberwolves 106
Ty Lawson had the best game of his career and nearly made his way into the history books by going 10 of 11 from 3-point range while collecting 37 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the Denver Nuggets’ 130-106 victory over the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday.
Lawson exploded in the third quarter as the Nuggets put it away, scoring 24 points and going 7 of 8 from 3-point range in the frame. The 23-year old established his previous career high of 28 last Tuesday and came in averaging 11.4 points. He finished 11 of 16 from the field and 5 of 6 from the free throw line in 29 minutes.
J.R. Smith added 18 points on six 3-pointers and Raymond Felton collected 11 points and 14 assists as eight players reached double figures for Denver (49-31).
Lawson’s 10 3s were one off the franchise record set by Smith on April 13, 2009. He nearly bested the NBA mark for most 3-pointers made in a game without a miss of nine, held by Latrell Sprewell and Ben Gordon.
The Timberwolves actually led, 35-28, early in the second quarter before the Nuggets closed the half on a 37-16 burst to take a 65-51 lead at the break. Minnesota (17-63) is tied with Cleveland for the NBA's worst record.
Lawson drained three 3-pointers in the final 3:39 of the second and stayed hot in the third, making seven more in a row before his lone miss on a 28-foot heave as time ran out in the period. Denver led 101-69 after the third and Lawson watched the fourth from the bench.