Nuggets take 59-57 halftime lead over Timberwolves in West first-round opener
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DENVER — The Denver Nuggets carried a 59–57 advantage into the break against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night in Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series.
Guard Jamal Murray paced Denver with 16 points, sinking all 10 of his free-throw attempts while shooting 3-of-7 from the field. Cameron Johnson added 10 points, and Nikola Jokić contributed six points, six rebounds and three assists.
Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels led his club with 12 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Anthony Edwards scored 11, and Rudy Gobert tallied eight points and five rebounds. The Timberwolves connected on 51 percent of their shots compared with the Nuggets’ 44 percent but were outscored 17-9 at the foul line.
Denver, which finished the regular season 54-28, controlled play for 89 percent of the opening half and built a lead as large as 12. Minnesota (49-33) held a brief five-percent share of time ahead and twice moved in front late in the second quarter.
Both clubs combined for just 10 turnovers before intermission. The Nuggets held a 22-19 edge on the glass. Denver remained without reserve guard Peyton Watson, sidelined by a hamstring injury.
Game 1 is being streamed exclusively on Prime Video from Ball Arena, with officials Dedric Taylor, Zach Zarba, Jacyn Goble and Eric Dalen on the floor. The winner of the best-of-seven series will advance to the Western Conference semifinals.
Source: ESPN
