Kevin Love scores 33 to help Timberwolves fend off Nuggets 132-128

Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love (42) makes layup past Denver Nuggets' Darrell Arthur (00) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 3, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez) (The Associated Press)

Denver Nuggets' Evan Fournier, left, is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Martin, right, during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 3, 2014, in Denver. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez) (The Associated Press)

Kevin Love scored 33 points and tied a season high with 19 rebounds for his NBA-best 50th double-double this season, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the skidding Denver Nuggets 132-128 on Monday night for their third win in a row.

Love topped 30 points for the 11th time in his last 14 starts, helping Minnesota wrap up a 4-1 trip out west.

The Nuggets got a boost from the return of Ty Lawson, who scored a season-high 31 points with 11 assists in his first game since breaking his left rib Feb. 8 at Detroit. But it wasn't enough to reverse their sagging fortunes. Denver lost its sixth straight and has dropped 11 of 12 overall.