NUGGETS 131, TIMBERWOLVES 102: JaVale McGee led the way with 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting as seven different players reached double figures for visiting Denver, which clinched the No. 6 seed in the West.
Arron Afflalo scored 18 points and Danilo Gallinari added 17 for the Nuggets, who will open the playoffs on the road at the Los Angeles Lakers.
Needing the win to ensure the No. 6 spot, Denver left no doubt that it had the offense to make some noise in the postseason. The Nuggets shot 63 percent from the floor, including 50 percent (5 for 10) from beyond the arc against lowly Minnesota.
Denver went up 61-42 at the half and never looked back, putting up 32 points in the third quarter and 38 more in the fourth to coast to the finish.
The Timberwolves, who at one time were challenging for a playoff spot, closed out the season having lost 13 of their last 14 games.
J.J. Barea scored 20 points and Nikola Pekovic collected 18 points and 11 rebounds to provide the few bright spots for Minnesota.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Nuggets dominated the boards, building up a 48-29 advantage on the glass. … The Timberwolves announced earlier in the week that Kevin Love (concussion) and Luke Ridnour (ankle) would miss the finale. … The only player on Denver to shoot less than 50 percent from the floor was Andre Miller, who shot 2 for 5.
Denver | Minnesota | |
JaVale McGee 19 | Scoring | Jose Juan Barea 20 |
Andre Miller 10 | Assists | Jose Juan Barea 5 |
Kosta Koufos 11 | Rebounds | Nikola Pekovic 10 |
Danilo Gallinari 7 | Free Throws Made | Jose Juan Barea 3 |
Ty Lawson 2 | Steals | Brad Miller 2 |
Timofey Mozgov 2 | Blocks | Wesley Johnson 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Denver | 131 | 62.9 | 5-10 | 14-20 | 30 | 48 | 4 | 9 | 16 |
Minnesota | 102 | 44.9 | 10-27 | 12-19 | 22 | 29 | 4 | 5 | 13 |