Nuggets survive Wolves in Game 1 despite off nights from Jokic, Murray and three-point line
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The Denver Nuggets opened their first-round series with a narrow victory Saturday even though their stars and outside shooting fell short of usual standards. Denver beat the Minnesota Timberwolves after shooting just 27.8% from beyond the arc and getting only “good, not great” performances from Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Jokic contained, but Denver’s depth prevails
Jokic logged 25 points on 12-of-19 shooting, 13 rebounds and 11 assists in 40 minutes, but also committed five turnovers. Minnesota center Rudy Gobert limited the two-time MVP, finishing with 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting and 10 rebounds himself. Forward Jaden McDaniels credited Gobert’s defense, calling it “the best game we’ve had from Rudy this year.”
Despite Gobert’s effort, Minnesota dropped what appeared to be a winnable contest. Denver’s supporting cast helped compensate for Jokic’s quieter night, allowing him to conserve energy for the rest of the series.
Cold perimeter shooting nearly costs Denver
The Nuggets, who led the league at 39.6% from three during the regular season, hit just 10 of 36 attempts overall and only 1 of 17 after halftime. According to Wolf Wise Statistics, Denver was 1-7 this season when shooting below 28% from deep, yet still managed to start the playoffs 1-0.
Murray perfect at the stripe
Jamal Murray struggled from the field (7-of-22, 0-for-8 from three) but finished with a game-high 30 points by converting all 16 of his free throws. Minnesota players noted the 33-19 free-throw disparity but pointed instead to “key mistakes” that fueled Denver runs, as forward Julius Randle explained after scoring 16 points on 7-of-16 shooting.
Edwards battles fatigue, Braun embraces assignment
Anthony Edwards posted 22 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and three blocks in 38 minutes while nursing a lingering right knee issue. The All-Star guard said he felt “a little fatigued” after a month-plus layoff but insisted he was otherwise fine. Head coach Chris Finch echoed that sentiment.
Nuggets assistant coach David Adelman praised rookie wing Christian Braun for holding Edwards to 7-of-19 shooting. Braun welcomed the challenge, saying he prides himself on guarding elite scorers and plans to keep studying Edwards as the series unfolds.
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday in Denver.
Source: Hoops Rumors
