NBA schedule 2012: Timberwolves host Nuggets in lone early-week game

The Minnesota Timberwolves will enter the week with a 9-9 record but won't get a chance to bump that above .500 until Wednesday night when they host the Denver Nuggets. At 10-11, the Nuggets are currently 1.5 games behind the Timberwolves in the Northwest Division as the two teams meet for the second time this season.

In the teams' first matchup, the Nuggets defeated the Wolves 101-94 in what was Kevin Love's surprise return to the starting lineup. In that game, Love put up 34 points and 14 rebounds but the Wolves could not slow up Denver's offense. Since that game, the Wolves have gone 3-4 as they work to integrate Love back into the lineup, though those three wins have come in their last four games.

Denver, on the other hand, has struggled to stay consistent this season. Denver has lost five of its last seven games on the heels of a four-game wining streak, which itself came after a three-game losing streak. The good news for the TImberwolves is that Denver will come to the Target Center on the second night of a back-to-back as they visit the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.

Wednesday night's game in Minneapolis tips at 8 p.m. ET on FSN North.