MINNEAPOLIS — Denver’s defense had spearheaded the Nuggets’ recent three-game winning streak.
That end of the floor failed the Nuggets in the first half Wednesday night against Minnesota. Then it helped fuel a massive second-half comeback on the second night of a back-to-back set.
But Denver could not get the final key stop, with a jumper by Jamal Crawford and two free throws by Jimmy Butler propelling the Timberwolves to a 128-125 overtime win over the Nuggets at Target Center.
The defeat was the Nuggets’ second in a week to the Northwest Division-leading Timberwolves (22-13), who won their fifth in a row to maintain the fourth spot in the Western Conference.