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.<\/p>\n
In somewhat of a surprise, Denver<\/a> 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.\u00a0 Donte DeVincenzo<\/a>, Julius Randle<\/a>, and Naz Reid<\/a> combined for 19 of the Wolves’ 29 fourth-quarter points.<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like we had the game in hand,\u201d Nuggets Jamal Murray said after the game<\/a>, \u201cand then we just didn’t make our shots.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Anthony Edwards<\/a> 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.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n Jamal Murray<\/a> has been fantastic for the Nuggets, tallying 30 points and seven assists in each of the first two games. Likewise, Nikola Jokic<\/a> had another strong game with 24 points and 15 rebounds, to lead three others in double figures.<\/p>\n Jaden McDaniels<\/a> had some pointed comments about what worked<\/a> for the Timberwolves offensively in Game 2: \u201cGo at Jokic, Jamal, all the bad defenders. Tim Hardaway, Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and their whole team. \u00a0They\u2019re all bad defenders.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Denver leads the season series 4-2, including winning both games in Minnesota. The Nuggets lead the all-time matchup 102-71, though the Timberwolves have won 10 of the 19 playoff contests. The Wolves have won two of their three playoff series, winning in 2024, though the Nuggets knocked them out in 2023.<\/p>\n Denver averages 115 points on 43.9% shooting from the field and 12.5 threes at a 32.5% clip in the series. The Nuggets, who averaged 31.5 free throws a game in the series (84.1%), grabbed 45 rebounds (6.5 offensive) and dished out 27.5 assists while committing 11.5 turnovers a game. They average 16.0 points off turnovers, 20.0 second chance points, and 14.0 fastbreak points.<\/p>\n David Adelman has essentially used a seven-man rotation in the first two games. And all seven are producing with Murray leading the way with 30.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 6.0 rebounds, though he is shooting just 38.3\/27.3\/100. Jokic has one double-double and a triple-double, compiling 24.5 points, 14.0 rebounds, and 9.5 assists. Christian Braun<\/a>, Aaron Gordon<\/a>, and Tim Hardaway Jr.<\/a> are all averaging double figures and playing well.<\/p>\n Minnesota<\/a> averages 112 points on 46.9% from the field with 12.5 threes at a 36.8% clip in the two games. The Timberwolves average 24.5 free throws a game (67.3%), 46 rebounds (8 offensive), 25.5 assists, and 12.5 turnovers. They average 17.0 points off turnovers, 10.0 second chance points, and 14.0 fastbreak points.<\/p>\n Chris Finch has stretched out his rotation a little bit more than Adelman has. Still, seven Wolves players are averaging 22 minutes a contest, though they have been less efficient than the Nuggets’ top seven.<\/p>\n Edwards averages 26.0 points, 9.5 boards, 4.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks with shooting splits of 38.6\/25.0\/81.3. Randle averages 20.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists with shooting splits of 46.7\/28.6\/83.3. Jaden McDaniels<\/a> contributes 15.0 points and 5.0 boards, though it is DiVincenzo and Ayo Dosunmu<\/a> who are playing really good basketball.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Ron Chenoy, Imagn Images\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Spread: Nuggets -2.5<\/p>\n Over\/Under: 233.5<\/p>\n Money Line: Nuggets: -126, Timberwolves +108<\/p>\n Aaron Gordon (Probable): Left calf tightness<\/p>\n Peyton Watson (Out): Right hamstring tightness<\/p>\n Godon is expected to suit up tonight. Watson’s absence will be his eighth straight game, though ESPN’s Anthony Slater<\/a> said he worked to the side at Nuggets practice yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\nSeries Stats<\/h3>\n
Nuggets<\/h4>\n
Timberwolves<\/h4>\n
Game 3 Odds<\/h3>\n
Injury Report<\/h3>\n
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Timberwolves<\/h4>\n