The Minnesota Timberwolves stormed back from 19 points down to defeat the Denver Nuggets 119-114 on Monday night, leveling their first-round series at one game apiece.
Guard Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 30 points, while forward Julius Randle added 24. The victory came two years after the Timberwolves wiped out a 20-point hole against Denver in a historic Game 7.
Nuggets’ fast start fades
Denver opened with a 39-25 first quarter and stretched the margin to 44-25 early in the second. Minnesota responded by matching that 39-25 score in the next period, trimming the halftime deficit to 64-64 after Jamal Murray drilled a 51-foot three-pointer at the buzzer.
Murray finished with 30 points, while Nikola Jokić supplied 24 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists. The loss snapped the Nuggets’ 13-game winning streak that dated to March 18.
Decisive final seconds
With 31 seconds left, Edwards turned the ball over, and Christian Braun drew a foul at the other end. Braun hit one of two free throws, leaving Denver behind 115-114. Randle sank two free throws, and Donte DiVincenzo sealed the result with a breakaway dunk.
Series shifts to Minneapolis
The Nuggets are 8-0 all time when taking a 2-0 lead in a playoff series, but Minnesota avoided that scenario. Game 3 is set for Thursday night at Target Center.
Both teams attempted 30 free throws, a point of emphasis after Timberwolves coach Chris Finch criticized the disparity in Game 1. Minnesota also received 14 points from Jaden McDaniels.
“Just coming together, staying poised,” Edwards said of the comeback. Murray countered, “I feel like we had the game in hand and then we just didn’t make our shots.”
Source: ESPN
