Nuggets edge Timberwolves to keep playoff hopes alive

DENVER — Clinging to their playoff lives late in the third quarter desperately search of an offensive spark of any kind, the Denver Nuggets got what may have been a season-saving contribution from one of its veterans.

Backup point guard Devin Harris drilled a trio of three-pointers late in the third quarter to lead an 11-0 Nuggets’ run to finish the period. Harris helped awaken a dormant Denver offense and lead the Nuggets to a 100-96 win.

Leading 98-96 with under 10 seconds remaining Nikola Jokic tipped in Will Barton’s miss to seal the victory. Jokic struggled and shot just 6-20 on his way to 16 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists but was in the right place at the right time to finish Minnesota.

For the second-straight game, Denver struggled to shoot the ball from distance. After converting just 31 percent of its three-pointers in Tuesday’s win over the Pacers, Denver shot 11-36 (31 percent) tonight.

Harris hit five of the Nuggets’ 11 threes and finished with 20 points. Jamal Murray led Denver with 22 points on 8-16 shooting. He was 3-6 from distance.

Karl-Anthony Towns finished with a game-high 26 points to go with 13 rebounds but fouled out of the game with 1:46 to play. Minnesota only scored three points after Towns was disqualified.

With the win, the Nuggets move to 44-35 with three regular-season games remaining — an identical record to the Timberwolves. Denver and Minnesota are now tied for the eighth seed in the West.

The Nuggets visit the Los Angeles Clippers Saturday night.