Nuggets 117, Timberwolves 113
Wilson Chandler's 19 points led seven players in double figures as host Denver survived a late charge by Minnesota.
Kenneth Faried had 16 points and 10 rebounds and Ty Lawson finished with 14 points and 10 assists for the Nuggets, who have won four of five after an 0-3 start. Andre Miller scored 10 of his 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Love led Minnesota with 28 points. Kevin Martin returned from a one-game layoff with flu-like symptoms to score 27 points, and J.J. Barea contributed 21 on 10-of-14 shooting.
Chandler's jumper with 3:55 left gave Denver a 109-96 lead, but Love's first 3-pointer highlighted a 7-0 run and Corey Brewer had five points in 26 seconds to cut the deficit to 112-108 with 49 seconds left. After Chandler hit a pair from the line with 23 ticks remaining, Love knocked down another 3-pointer to make it a two-point game before Chandler and Miller had a free throw apiece to ice it.
Minnesota turned a 12-point first-quarter deficit into a six-point lead at the break, with Martin scoring twice in an 8-0 burst before halftime. The Nuggets slowly regained control before taking the lead for good when Lawson's layup with 3:55 to go in the third ignited a 12-3 run that made it 84-75.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Denver missed three free throws in the final 28 seconds to help Minnesota hang around. ... Timberwolves PG Ricky Rubio had 12 assists but was held scoreless for the first time since Jan. 9. ... Lawson left the game after he was poked in the eye by Brewer while driving to the hoop in the final minute.