Timberwolves at Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets can clinch the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs when they try for a four-game season sweep of the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in their regular-season finale. Denver (53-28) appeared to have squandered an opportunity to nail down the two seed by losing its last two games, including 118-108 at Utah on Tuesday, but got some improbable help from Oklahoma City.
The Thunder trailed by 14 with 9:08 remaining before stunning Houston 112-111 on Tuesday as the Rockets finished the regular season 53-29. Denver has dropped four of its last six games and will be the No. 3 seed with a loss Wednesday. Minnesota, which will miss the playoffs for the 14th time in the last 15 seasons, lost 120-100 to Toronto on Tuesday while extending its club record of scoring 100 or more points to 30 straight games. Denver won the first two meetings this season by a combined three points before a 133-107 rout March 12 behind 30 points from Jamal Murray.
TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), Altitude (Denver)
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (36-45): Karl-Anthony Towns (24.4 points, 12.4 rebounds per game) did not play Tuesday because of knee soreness but will make the trip to Denver and be a game-time decision. Gorgui Dieng (6.2) was in the starting lineup for the first time since April 12, 2017 in Towns' place and scored 16 points, and is averaging 14 over his last seven games. Tyus Jones recorded 11 points and 10 assists Tuesday, giving him three of his five double-doubles this season in the last five contests.
ABOUT THE NUGGETS (53-28): Nikola Jokic (19.9 points, 10.7 rebounds) recorded season lows of two points and two rebounds before fouling out in the fourth quarter after playing only 16 minutes against the Jazz. Monte Morris (10.4 points) recorded his fifth 20-point game of the campaign with a season-high 22 versus Utah. Murray also scored 22 on Tuesday and is averaging 21 in his last eight games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Jokic has 55 double-doubles this season, second-most in Denver history to Dikembe Mutombo (58 in 1992-93).
2. Minnesota G Jerryd Bayless (ankle) has missed the last two contests and is questionable to play Wednesday.
3. The Nuggets are 33-7 at home this season, including 25-4 in their last 29 at the Pepsi Center.