MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves sent Kevin Love off to NBA All-Star weekend with a complete performance and a critical win. The Denver Nuggets played as though they were already relaxing on a tropical beach. Love started practicing early for All-Star festivities, making six of 11 shots from 3-point range and totalling 32 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Timberwolves to a 117-90 victory over the Nuggets on Wednesday night. "Its always a tough game before the break to come out with a lot of energy, and we did," Love said. "We were excited to play. We knew we needed a win." Love, chosen as a first-time starter for the Western Conference team, will also take part in the 3-point shooting contest this weekend in New Orleans. In five February games, Love has averaged 32.6 points. He sat last week because of a stiff neck, and then with a bruised left quadriceps, but his banged-up body hasnt hindered his production when he is on the court. "I was pretty sore before the game still, but once we got going I felt good," Love said. "I was definitely happy we got the large lead, and I really, really needed to sit down those last eight minutes." Corey Brewer added 22 points, J.J. Barea pitched in 18 points on 8-for-8 shooting, and Ricky Rubio had 11 points, 12 assists and a season-high seven steals for the Wolves, who had coach Rick Adelman back on the sideline. He missed the previous game on Monday, an absence he said was related to his wifes health. The Wolves, still missing Nikola Pekovic (right ankle bursitis) and Kevin Martin (broken left thumb) stopped a four-game losing streak. "We needed a game like that after having a tough stretch," Rubio said. The curmudgeon coach wasnt quite satisfied, calling timeout at one point in the second quarter when a turnover gave the Nuggets a fast-break dunk off a lob pass from Randy Foye to Jordan Hamilton. That cut the lead to 47-29. "I dont know, 40 would be nice to be ahead by," Adelman said. "Id relax then. We have a tendency to give up points quickly." The Wolves trail eighth-place Phoenix by six games. Hamilton led the Nuggets with 16 points and seven assists, and J.J. Hickson added 14 points and 13 rebounds. Reeling from injuries, the Nuggets (24-27) have dropped nine of 13 and four games in a row to fall behind the Wolves (25-28) and into 11th place. "Theres really only one thing to say, and thats thank God for the All-Star break," coach Brian Shaw said. Foye, forced into a point guard role because Ty Lawson and Nate Robinson are out, said he has been playing with a strained hamstring. He then sustained a nerve injury in his leg. "It was extremely painful, but I fought through it," said Foye, who inadvertently elbowed Rubio in the chin in the first quarter. Rubio returned after receiving five stitches. The Nuggets, who have given up the third-most points per game, left shooters open all over the court. The Wolves made them pay with 52.3 per cent shooting from the floor and 20 fast-break points. "Were getting torched by everybody from the beginning of the game to the end of the game," Shaw said. The Wolves were ahead 19-3 before the Nuggets were even warmed up, and they built their lead as big as 61-37 late in the second quarter on a 3-pointer by Chase Budinger, who finished with 12 points. The Nuggets never came closer than 17 points after halftime. Brewer had an uncontested dunk and then caught another laser-like outlet pass from Love like a wide receiver streaking down the football field. Brewers twisting layup rolled off the rim, but Rubio stole the ball right back for another try that Brewer converted for a 98-64 lead. "It all starts with defence," Hickson said. "If you look at the top teams in the league, all of them are top five or top 10 in defence, and thats not us right now." NOTES: Adelman has no special plans for the All-Star break. "Im just going to sit here and watch the snow," he said. Pekovic will be ice fishing again, but Adelman expressed no interest, only a bit of advice: "I hope he puts his foot in the water and ices it a little bit." ... Hickson has a double-double in 16 of the last 29 games. ... Martin said his hope is to be cleared to play on the five-game trip that starts Feb. 22. He will be re-evaluated the day before. Byron Jones Cowboys Jersey . But when Fernando Rodney struggled in the ninth, it was Smoak who made another huge play to keep Seattle from blowing the lead. Randy Gregory Womens Jersey . Switzerland had already secured the match with its doubles victory on Saturday. On Friday, Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka both won their singles matches and pulled out of the reverse singles. http://www.officialthecowboysonline.com/AUTHENTIC-SEAN-LEE-COWBOYS-Jersey/ . Arenado left the game in the second inning after fracturing his left middle finger on a head-first slide into second base. Michael Cuddyer hit a home run for Colorado. Ramiro Pena, who replaced third baseman Chris Johnson in the third inning, led off the eighth with a double to the centerfield wall off Adam Ottavino (0-1). Daryl Johnston Jersey . -- The Phoenix Coyotes have re-signed centre Andy Miele to a one-year, two-way contract. Daryl Johnston Youth Jersey . Five players had a multi-point performance and goaltender Ben Scrivens made 34 saves as Edmonton avoided a seventh straight loss by defeating the visiting Nashville Predators 5-1. CHICAGO -- Brandon Cumpton pitched seven scoreless innings, Travis Snider hit a solo homer and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-1 on Sunday. Cumpton (3-2) won his third straight decision as the Pirates won the last two games of the three-game series. Cumpton allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out four. The rookie right-hander retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced. He allowed a walk to Nate Schierholtz in the fifth inning, but rebounded by getting John Baker to hit into an inning-ending double play. Ryan Sweeney reached on a single against Cumpton in the first inning and the other hit was by Cubs starting pitcher Jason Hammel in the sixth. Pirates closer Mark Melancon pitched the ninth for his 12th save in 15 chances. Melancon gave up back-to-back singles to Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro. Melancon then struck out Luis Valbuena and got Schierholtz to hit into a fielders choice as Rizzo scored. Melancon finished the game by getting Junior Lake to fly out. Gregory Polanco had his hitting streak snapped at 11 games. The Pirates rookie leadoff hitter had a hit in his first 11 major league games. He was 0 for 3 with a walk. Hammel (6-5) allowed two runs and six hits in seven innings. He struck out six and walked one. Hammels first pitch of the third inning was hit over the centre-field wall by Snider. It was Sniders fourth of the season. Later in the inning, Josh Harrison hit a liner right back at Hammel.dddddddddddd The ball ricocheted off Hammels right side and allowed Chris Stewart to score from third. Harrison reached first base without a throw. Hammel was briefly looked at by a team trainer. Pirates reliever Tony Watson pitched out of trouble in the eighth. With runners on second and third with one out, Watson struck out pinch-hitters Welington Castillo and Justin Ruggiano. NOTES: Cubs OF Emilio Bonifacio has yet to return to baseball activities after being placed on the disabled list on June 13 with a rib injury. "Were still in the wait-and-see," Cubs manager Rick Renteria said. "Hes feeling better, hes not feeling any discomfort anymore." Renteria added that this type of injury can become chronic if not taken care of properly, so the Cubs are being as patient and proactive as possible to make sure Bonifacio is full recovered before returning to the active roster. ... Pirates 2B Neil Walker is expected to join the team in Tampa Bay on Monday. He has been on the DL since June 9 with an appendectomy. He is eligible to be reinstated on Tuesday. ... Pirates OF Starling Marte is expected to rejoin the club in Tampa on Monday. He is attending to a personal matter in the Dominican Republic. ... Before the game, the Cubs activated Castillo off the DL. He missed 18 games with a rib cage injury. cheap nfl Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys cheap nfl Jerseys wholesale Jerseys ' ' '