When Minnesota Timberwolves coach Randy Wittman drew up a last-minute shot for Blake Ahearn in Sunday's NBA preseason game against the Denver Nuggets at the Bismarck Civic Center, teammate Rashad McCants upped the ante.

"He said if I make it, he'd give me $100,"Ahearn said.

McCants obviously doesn't know Ahearn well yet, or he'd know not to bet against him.

Ahearn got the ball and calmly drained a 3-pointer from the left corner, giving the Timberwolves a one-point lead with 30.7 seconds to play. Kevin Ollie then hit four free throws to wrap up Minnesota's 111-107 victory.

"When we get on the plane, Ibetter have a $100 bill on my seat,"Ahearn said with a grin.

It looked like Ahearn - who won the D-League's rookie of the year award last season playing for the Dakota Wizards - might not even get to play.

As Ahearn, who is trying to win a spot on the Timberwolves roster, was anchored to the Minnesota bench, occasional yells of "We want Blake!" were heard.

"I know coach was taking a little heat for me not getting in for awhile," Ahearn said. "But I was glad I was able to get in and show something for the fans."

Wolves coach Randy Wittman finally put in Ahearn with 4:33 to go. He missed his first shot attempt, but came through on the second, critical one.

Wittman said Ahearn was one of several options on the play - Ahearn said he was first. It was exactly the kind of situation the Timberwolves would need Ahearn for if they keep him.

"Kevin Ollie and Blake, in particular, they sat there the majority of the night, not playing,"Wittman said. "That's going to happen in a game, where somebody gets hurt. That guy hasn't played all game, and all of a sudden, you have to go in and play. That's part of learning how to be a professional."

Minnesota's other player with area ties - Mitchell, S.D., native Mike Miller - also gave Bismarck fans a thrill.

The veteran guard-forward knocked down his first five shots as the Timberwolves raced out to a 31-18 lead.

"We got a couple of open looks, did a good job executing our stuff,"Miller said. "We got some open looks and knocked them down. That's how it goes sometimes."

Miller finished the night with 17 points on 8-for-10 shooting.

Helping him get all those open looks was Randy Foye, who finished with 12 points, 15 assists and just two turnovers.

"That's the best I've ever seen Randy Foye play,"Nuggets coach George Karl said. "I thought he did a great job. I've never seen him distribute it and make good decisions like that."

Denver cut the lead by getting to the line - 16 times in the second quarter alone. Anthony Carter scored 17, and Carmelo Anthony began to heat up as the game went on, finishing with 15.

Ryan Gomes finished with 20 and Al Jefferson with 15 for the Wolves, but it was Ahearn who stole the spotlight at the end.

"Coach drew up a good play. I knew in the timeout I'd get a look, just by the way they play defense and everything," Ahearn said. "He drew up a good play, and I knew I'd have a chance to knock down a shot. That's all Ican ask for is an opportunity.

"That's kind of the story of my career, trying to take advantage of any (opportunity) I can get."

Ahearn enjoyed the return to Bismarck, and said he wants to play for the Wizards if he's back in the D-League.

But he's hoping the return was for one night only.

"Being the confident guy that I am, Idon't expect to come back,"Ahearn said. "But all in all, like Itold people before - if this is where I come, it's a great place to be."

Denver 27 51 83 107

Minnesota 34 57 83 111

DENVER (107): Carmelo Anthony 6-13 3-3 15, Kenyon Martin 6-9 0-0 12, Nene 4-6 2-3 10, J.R. Smith 6-9 0-0 14, Anthony Carter 7-13 3-4 17, Dahntay Jones 2-5 0-0 4, Smush Parker 3-4 0-2 9, Linas Kleiza 1-8 11-12 13, Chris Andersen 0-3 6-8 6, Renaldo Balkman 2-6 0-0 4, Ruben Patterson 1-1 1-2 3, Nick Fazekas 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 38-79 26-34 107.

MINNESOTA (111): Ryan Gomes 8-13 1-1 20, Mark Madsen 1-2 0-0 2, Al Jefferson 7-16 1-2 15, Randy Foye 2-5 8-8 12, Mike Miller 8-10 0-0 17, Corey Brewer 2-9 4-6 8, Craig Smith 4-6 5-7 13, Sebastian Telfair 3-4 0-0 7, Kevin Love 2-3 1-2 5, Rodney Carney 1-5 1-2 3, Chris Richard 1-1 0-0 2, Kevin Ollie 0-0 4-4 4, Blake Ahearn 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 40-76 25-32 111.

3-pointers: D 5-13 (Smith 2-5, Parker 3-3, Balkman 0-1, Kleiza 0-4), M 6-15 (Gomes 3-5, Miller 1-3, Foye 0-1, Brewer 0-1, Telfair 1-1, Carney 0-2, Ahearn 1-2). Rebounds: D 31 (Kleiza 6), M 41 (Jefferson 8). Fouls: D 23, M 22. Fouled out: DBalkman, M Love. Assists: D 23 (Anthony, Carter 7), M 27 (Foye 15). Blocks: D 2, M 5 (Carney 2). Steals: D 6 (Parker 2), M 10 (Brewer 3).

A: 6,081.

Records: D 4-1, M 5-1.