Timberwolves smother Nuggets on defense to take 2-1 series lead

The opening quarter was an impressive display of defense by Minnesota. As Rudy Gobert did a strong job of hampering Nikola Jokic‘s impact, the Timberwolves held the Nuggets to just 11 points in the first quarter.

With a 14-point lead going into the second, the Minnesota kept the pedal to the metal and ramped up their offensive output. They held the advantage in virtually every single statistical category.

While the Nuggets recovered on offense with 28 points in the second, they conceded 36 points on the other end.

The third quarter saw the Nuggets put up more of a fight, but they only outscored Minnesota by two points in the final frame, partially thanks to the Timberwolves’ outside shooting struggles.

Denver’s offense remained frazzled in the fourth quarter as Gobert and Jaden McDaniels anchored an elite defensive performance.

On offense, Ayo Dosunmu erupted for 25 points and nine assists on 10-of-15 shooting while Jaden McDaniels finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds on 9-of-13 shooting.

For Denver, Jokic had 27 points and 15 rebounds on 7-of-26 shooting and Jamal Murray had 16 points on 5-of-17 shooting.

James Parker contributed to this story.