Minnesota's relentless defense and sharp shooting overwhelm Denver in a decisive 106-80 victory, highlighting their playoff prowess.
On May 7, 2024, the Minnesota Timberwolves continued their playoff dominance with a resounding 106-80 victory over the Denver Nuggets, despite missing key player Rudy Gobert. This win gave the Timberwolves a 2-0 lead in the series, showcasing their robust defense and efficient offense which stifled the Nuggets throughout the game.
The Timberwolves established a commanding lead early on, ending the first half with a 26-point advantage. Karl-Anthony Towns was instrumental from the start, scoring 11 points on 5 of 6 shooting in the first quarter alone. His performance, combined with the team's tight defense, set the tone for the game. The Nuggets’ main scorers—Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, and Michael Porter Jr.—struggled significantly, with Murray making just 1 of 10 shots in the first half, Jokic 3 of 8, and Porter 2 of 5. This left Aaron Gordon as the only effective Nuggets player, scoring a team-high 15 points.
On the offensive end, the Timberwolves were just as formidable. Towns and Anthony Edwards combined for a total of 36 points on 14 of 20 shooting, outscoring the entire Nuggets team in the first half. With support from Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who together made 5 of 8 from three-point range, the Timberwolves dismantled the Nuggets' rhythm completely.
Despite a slight dip in their offensive output in the third quarter, the Timberwolves maintained a substantial lead, peaking at 32 points. The Nuggets managed to reduce the deficit to under 20 points early in the fourth quarter, but a quick response from Edwards and Towns pushed the lead back to 25 points, effectively ending the game prematurely.
Towns finished the game with 27 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks, making 10 of 15 shots including three 3-pointers. Edwards also had a standout performance with 27 points, 7 assists, and 2 steals. Reid and Alexander-Walker contributed significantly as well, each scoring 14 points with four 3-pointers.
For the Nuggets, Gordon led with 20 points, while Jokic added 16 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists. However, Murray and Porter struggled, scoring well below their usual output.
This game marks the Timberwolves' fifth consecutive playoff win and the first time in franchise history they have secured two away games in a series. They now return to Minnesota aiming to maintain their momentum and potentially sweep the series.
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2024/05/07, picture citation source Associated Press