The Timberwolves could not defend residence courtroom in opposition to Denver in Video games 3 and 4 of the Western Convention semifinals. However in Sport 6 on Thursday, they ran the Nuggets out of the constructing.
The Wolves erased an early Nuggets lead with a 20-0 first-quarter run and by no means appeared again, successful 115-70 to drive a Sport 7 on Sunday in Denver.
Even after breaking the sport open early, Minnesota by no means eased up. After Nikola Jokic lastly scored to cease the run, the Wolves scored one other seven factors in a row.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 27 factors and was a large +43 in his 33 minutes. Jaden McDaniels had 21 factors and two blocks, whereas Karl-Anthony Cities and Rudy Gobert mixed for 27 rebounds.
It was a complete domination. Jamal Murray missed 10 of his first 11 photographs and completed 4-for-18. Minnesota had 62 rebounds to Denver’s 43, stole the ball 9 instances and held the Nuggets to 30 p.c taking pictures.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone waved the white flag with 10 minutes to go, however that didn’t cease the devastation. Luka Garza took benefit of backups DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji, and Minnesota outscored Denver 29-9 to punctuate the victory.
The Nuggets tied their lowest-scoring quarter of the season within the first, then have been even worse within the fourth. Minnesota’s relentless protection centered on doubling Jokic and collapsing on him within the paint. When Jokic shared the ball, his teammates couldn’t hit threes, bunnies or the broad facet of a barn.
Denver appeared useless after dropping the primary two video games of the sequence at residence. Minnesota appeared useless after three straight losses. Now Denver appears useless once more.
However they’re each nonetheless alive for a giant Sport 7.
