Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Ryan Gomes scored 27 points and the Minnesota Timberwolves snapped their 15-game skid with a 106-100 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Damien Wilkins added 15 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Timberwolves, whose only other victory came in the October 28 season opener, thanks to Wilkins' buzzer-beater over the still-winless New Jersey Nets.
Corey Brewer and Jonny Flynn each scored 16 for Minnesota, which also avoided tying a franchise-record losing streak. Minnesota suffered a 124-111 loss versus the Nuggets on Wednesday before dropping a 120-95 decision two days later to the Phoenix Suns. But on Sunday at the Pepsi Center, the Timberwolves used a strong third quarter to avoid equaling the team record losing streak from February 29 - March 29, 1992.
"For us, there's nothing like a winning locker room," said Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis. "There's a lot of relief in there."
Carmelo Anthony had 32 points to lead the Nuggets, who had won their previous four games. Kenyon Martin chipped in 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Nene had 10 points and 10 boards.
"We're a very good team, but tonight we were an embarrassment," said Nuggets coach George Karl. "We're embarrassed and we have to live with it for the next 48 hours."
Dating back to March of last season, Denver had claimed 17 consecutive home wins.
The Nuggets were ahead by as many as 17 points and led 64-50 at the half. Minnesota, though, surged by limiting the Nuggets to 4-of-19 shooting in the third quarter. Conversely, the visitors shot 14-of-25 from the floor and had just one turnover in the period.
Minnesota scored the first 14 points of the third, tying the game after a Flynn layup. The Timberwolves later went ahead 68-67 on a Wilkins layup and upped the margin to 81-76 moving to the fourth.
Gomes' layup extended the lead to double-digits, at 92-82, with 7:05 remaining before Denver trimmed the deficit to four, the last time at 101-97 on an Anthony layup with 51.6 seconds left.
Wilkins and Flynn each sank two free throws in the closing minute, though, to ensure the victory.
"It was hard going through this slide, but a great locker room and a great coaching staff helped us through it," said Flynn. "It just feels good to get back in the win column."
It was 40-25 after the first quarter and the double-digit difference remained through the half.
Game Notes
The Nuggets had won 10 straight meetings...Chauncey Billups was limited to 2 of-13 shooting and had 14 points for Denver, which shot 41.7 percent from the field. Minnesota ended at 51.2 percent...Al Jefferson had 14 points and nine rebounds for the Timberwolves.