Jamal Murray sent the Pepsi Center crowd into cheers, converting four-point plays, tough finishes inside and shot after shot from beyond the arc.
But Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns sent the Nuggets faithful into oohs and ahhs. Then Jimmy Butler delivered the knockout blow.
Towns and Butler took over in the fourth quarter for the Timberwolves, scoring a combined 22 points in the period to lift Minnesota to a 112-104 win over Denver Wednesday night.
The loss snaps the Nuggets’ eight-game home winning streak dating back to Nov. 4. It also gives the Timberwolves a 1-0 edge over division-rival Denver before a quick rematch Dec.