The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves split their first two games. Now, the series heads to Minnesota for two, with Game 3 on Thursday. Tip time at the Target Center on Thursday is 9:30 p.m. (ET) on Prime Video.
Nuggets at Timberwolves Game 3: Preview, Odds, Prediction, and DFS Plays
In somewhat of a surprise, Denver and Minnesota are tied at 1 game apiece as the Timberwolves took Game 2 119-114. The Timberwolves, who trailed by 14 points after the first quarter, outscored the Nuggets 25-15 over the last 11 minutes to secure the victory. The Wolves shot 50% from the field in the final stanza and held the Nuggets to 38.1% shooting. They also won the rebound battle in the fourth, 16-9. Donte DeVincenzo, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid combined for 19 of the Wolves’ 29 fourth-quarter points.
“I feel like we had the game in hand,” Nuggets Jamal Murray said after the game, “and then we just didn’t make our shots.”
Overall, Minnesota outshot Denver 48%-to-43% in Game 2 with both teams shooting it well from deep. The Timberwolves made four more free throws and won the rebound battle 49-43 (9-5 offensive). Also, the Wolves’ bench outscored the Nuggets’ reserves 33-23.
Anthony Edwards had a nice bounce-back game and led the way for Minnesota with 30 points, on 10 of 25 shooting, and 10 rebounds in 40 minutes. It was the 24-year-old’s sixth career playoff double-double. Randle almost had a double-double with 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, though he was much more efficient than Edwards. DiVincenzo added 16 points, seven rebounds, and six assists to lead four others in double-figures.
Jamal Murray has been fantastic for the Nuggets, tallying 30 points and seven assists in each of the first two games. Likewise, Nikola Jokic had another strong game with 24 points and 15 rebounds, to lead three others in double figures.
Jaden McDaniels had some pointed comments about what worked for the Timberwolves offensively in Game 2: “Go at Jokic, Jamal, all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and their whole team. They’re all bad defenders.”
