Backup head coach Adrian Dantley filled in for George Karl in Minneapolis on Wednesday night.  Dantley kept Denver focused while Karl recovered from chemotherapy and surgery related to neck/throat cancer.

No doubt, George told his team to go out and play solid ball in his absence.  The Nuggets have responded by playing fluid and loose.  Coach Karl has made his impression on each one of these players and it shows.  When the Nuggets play in accordance with his principles, they don’t necessarily need him courtside to be successful.

That’s not to say we don’t need Karl back on the Nuggets’ sideline.  He matches wits with the best coaches in the game, and gives Denver a chance in any playoff series.  I wish him ongoing strength as he fights through his second bout with cancer.  A speedy recovery to you, George.

While the Nuggets starters played well, it was Denver’s on-court backups that worked hardest to make Dantley look good.  Every healthy Nugget except Malik Allen and Joey Graham played double-digit minutes; a fantastic stat in the first game of a four-game road swing.

Johan Petro started again for the Kenyon-less Nuggets.  A backup in a starting role, Petro had another strong first half of a first quarter before Chris Andersen spelled him 7:40 in.

Then Andersen, a sort of 6^th Man in the frontcourt, made up for a pitiful first quarter with an outstanding, workmanlike effort the rest of the way.  In 25 minutes of live time Birdman had 14 points, 10 boards & 3 blocked shots.  Better yet, Chris did it on the road where he has struggled mightily in the past.  (The Timberwolves have a way of bringing out the best in their opponents.)

Andersen was the only Nugget with a +/– below 0, but he repeatedly demoralized the Timberwolves whenever they got on a good groove.  At one point Bird literally chased Minnesota Center Al Jefferson out of the paint with a block followed by an assertive flapping of his arms.  Jefferson pitched the ball out above the key without enough time for the Wolves to complete a play.  Turnover on the shot-clock violation.

J.R. Smith had another explosive game off the bench.  Mr. Swish threw down a set of threes early when the Nuggets were lagging, and slammed home a wild, twisting alley-oop as Denver closed out the game inside the last five minutes.

Anthony Carter continued his hyper-competent play of the last couple weeks, dishing 8 assists in 16 minutes on the court.

The total team effort was good for a Nuggets victory over the Timberwolves, 110-102.

Denver climbed within 3.5 games of Los Angeles in the Western Conference Standings.

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