Game ID: 22301071
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets
Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 PM ET
Ball Arena, Denver, CO
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
DEN 26 17 21 34 98MIN 33 29 25 24 111
DEN vs MIN ScoutingDEN vs MIN Scouting
Welcome to the scouting desk. The coffee is cold, the film is play-by-play, and somebody has to explain what happened.
Every game has a hinge — a stretch where it was decided, usually while everyone was watching something else. Start where the evidence lives: the Lineups' face-offs say which five actually won their minutes; the Possessions ledger says who ran ahead of the night's own pace; the Shot Chart says where the points really came from, which is rarely where the highlights were. When all three agree, that is the story. When they don't — that is why this desk has a chair.
DEN availability going into 3/21 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 15 since 2/14, returns tonight: 9 min (80% of 11)
OUT Strawther missed 2 since 3/17, out tonight
DEN availability going into 3/23 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 3 since 3/17, out tonight
BACK Jordan back 3/21 after 15, 9 min since (80% of 11)
DEN availability going into 3/25 · 1 day's restOUT Strawther missed 4 since 3/17, returns tonight: 22 min (207% of 11)
BACK Jordan back 3/21 after 15, 14 min since (132% of 11)
DEN availability going into 3/27 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 2 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Jordan back 3/21 after 15, 14 min since (131% of 11)
BACK Strawther back 3/25 after 4, 22 min since (207% of 11)
DEN availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 3 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Jordan back 3/21 after 15, 14 min since (131% of 11)
BACK Strawther back 3/25 after 4, 13 min since (121% of 11)
DEN availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 4 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Jordan back 3/21 after 15, 13 min since (122% of 11)
BACK Strawther back 3/25 after 4, 9 min since (83% of 11)
NEW Jackson 21 to 26 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 5 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 3/25 after 4, 7 min since (71% of 11)
NEW Jackson 21 to 28 min over the last 5
NEW Braun 20 to 25 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/04 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 6 since 3/23, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 3/25 after 4, 7 min since (71% of 11)
NEW Jackson 21 to 28 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 4/06 · 1 day's restOUT Murray missed 7 since 3/23, returns tonight: 21 min (64% of 33)
NEW Jackson 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW Braun 20 to 26 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/19 · back-to-backOUT Gobert missed 2 since 3/16, out tonight
OUT Towns missed 6 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Morris back 3/16 after 3, 13 min since (98% of 13)
BACK McLaughlin back 3/08 after 3, 17 min since (164% of 11)
NEW Reid 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 30 min over the last 5
NEW Anderson 21 to 32 min over the last 4
MIN availability going into 3/22 · 2 days' restOUT Gobert missed 3 since 3/16, returns tonight: 37 min (109% of 34)
OUT Towns missed 7 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Morris back 3/16 after 3, 16 min since (123% of 13)
NEW Reid 24 to 29 min over the last 4
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 33 min over the last 5
NEW Anderson 21 to 30 min over the last 4
NEW McLaughlin 11 to 19 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/24 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 8 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Gobert back 3/22 after 3, 37 min since (109% of 34)
BACK Morris back 3/16 after 3, 17 min since (126% of 13)
NEW Anderson 21 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW McLaughlin 11 to 18 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/27 · 2 days' restOUT Towns missed 9 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Gobert back 3/22 after 3, 37 min since (109% of 34)
BACK Morris back 3/16 after 3, 17 min since (127% of 13)
NEW Anderson 21 to 29 min over the last 5
NEW McLaughlin 11 to 17 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/29 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 10 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Gobert back 3/22 after 3, 36 min since (106% of 34)
NEW Anderson 21 to 27 min over the last 5
NEW McLaughlin 11 to 17 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 3/31 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 11 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Gobert back 3/22 after 3, 36 min since (105% of 34)
NEW Reid 24 to 30 min over the last 4
MIN availability going into 4/02 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 12 since 3/07, out tonight
BACK Gobert back 3/22 after 3, 36 min since (106% of 34)
NEW Reid 24 to 30 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 4/03 · back-to-backOUT Towns missed 13 since 3/07, out tonight
NEW Reid 24 to 31 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 4/05 · 1 day's restOUT Towns missed 14 since 3/07, out tonight
NEW Reid 24 to 31 min over the last 5
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 106, shooting 49 percent and 37 from three, 21 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. Without Murray (3 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 102, shooting 49 percent and 41 from three, 17 free throws a game; Edwards at 22 and Reid at 19 a game. That is 3 straight wins. Without Towns (10 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-5 a night and Minnesota minus-3 and the arc, Minnesota at 41 percent from three to Denver's 37. Call it Denver 110, Minnesota 109, Minnesota keeping it close.
3/21 vs NYK 113-100 — DEN notes
DEN won 113-100. DEN shot 54% (45 of 84) to NYK's 48%, 6 of 20 from three. The glass went 42-31 for them. Porter Jr. led with 31 (13 of 16, 3 of 6 from three); Jokić added 30, Murray 23. The hinge was Q3, 27-20: a lead of 5 became 12. Jokić was the night's best plus/minus at +30.
3/23 @ POR 114-111 — DEN notes
DEN won 114-111. DEN shot 45% (41 of 91) to POR's 46%, 8 of 24 from three, and went to the line 33 times to POR's 17 — 24 points from the stripe to their 15. Jackson led with 23 (7 of 12, 1 of 4 from three, 8 of 11 at the line); Gordon added 22, Braun 17. The hinge was Q2, 31-25: a lead of 4 became 10, and the lead reached 15. Gillespie was the night's best plus/minus at +13.
3/25 vs MEM 128-103 — DEN notes
DEN won 128-103. DEN shot 53% (48 of 90) to MEM's 39%, 15 of 32 from three, and got to the line 18 times to MEM's 27. The glass went 50-40 for them. Jokić led with 29 (11 of 18, 6 of 7 at the line); Braun added 17, Jackson 15. The hinge was Q1, 39-24: from level to 15 ahead, and the lead reached 31. Holiday was the night's best plus/minus at +22.
3/27 vs PHX 97-104 — DEN notes
DEN lost 97-104. DEN shot 43% (38 of 88) to PHX's 47%, 10 of 40 from three. DEN turned it over 8 times to PHX's 16. The glass went 38-51 against them. Jokić led with 22 (9 of 16, 1 of 5 from three); A. Gordon added 18, Porter Jr. 18. Q4 was theirs, 24-21, the deficit cut from 10 to 7, but the other 3 periods went 83-73 against them. Braun's -19 in 15 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/29 vs MIN 98-111 — DEN notes
DEN lost 98-111. DEN took 14 more shots (88 to 74), fed by 13 offensive rebounds, but shot 40% to MIN's 51%, 8 of 28 from three, and got to the line 27 times to MIN's 37. DEN turned it over 12 times to MIN's 7. Jokić led with 32 (11 of 24, 0 of 3 from three, 10 of 13 at the line); Porter Jr. added 14, Gordon 14. Q4 was theirs, 34-24, the deficit cut from 23 to 13, but the other 3 periods went 87-64 against them. Caldwell-Pope's -15 in 28 minutes was the worst on the floor.
3/31 vs CLE — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 106, shooting 47 percent and 33 from three, 22 free throws a game; Jokić at 28 and Porter Jr. at 17 a game. Without Murray (4 straight). One day's rest. Cleveland comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 104 a night and allowing 110, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 15 free throws a game; Allen at 16 and Eva. Mobley at 16 a game. Without Wade (11 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-4 a night and Cleveland minus-3 and the line, where Denver takes 22 free throws a game to Cleveland's 15. Call it Denver 112, Cleveland 107.
4/02 vs SAS — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 106, shooting 48 percent and 39 from three, 21 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Jackson at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 6 a night. Without Murray (5 straight). One day's rest. San Antonio comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 117, shooting 48 percent and 37 from three, 22 free throws a game; Wembanyama at 26 and Vassell at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 106 a night to San Antonio's 117 and the glass, where Denver has been plus-6 a night and San Antonio minus-1. Call it Denver 117, San Antonio 110.
4/04 @ LAC — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
The Clippers come in 3-2 over their last five, scoring 110 a night and allowing 113, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 23 free throws a game; George at 24 and Leonard at 24 a game. Without Tucker (3 straight). One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 105, shooting 47 percent and 39 from three, 17 free throws a game; Jokić at 30 and Gordon at 16 a game. It has won the glass by 4 a night. Without Murray (6 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Denver has been plus-4 a night and the Clippers minus-2 and the defense, Denver allowing 105 a night to the Clippers' 113. Call it Denver 112, the Clippers 111, the Clippers keeping it close.
4/06 vs ATL — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 32 and Gordon at 16 a game. Without Murray (7 straight). One day's rest. Atlanta comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 113, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 16 free throws a game; Murray at 24 and Bogdanović at 22 a game. Without Young (21 straight). One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the defense, Denver allowing 105 a night to Atlanta's 113 and the turnovers, Atlanta giving it away 15 times a game to Denver's 11. Call it Denver 115, Atlanta 110.
3/19 vs DEN 112-115 — MIN notes
MIN lost 112-115. MIN shot 48% (42 of 88) to DEN's 52%, 12 of 35 from three. MIN turned it over 7 times to DEN's 17. The glass went 37-49 against them. Edwards led with 30 (13 of 26, 3 of 8 from three); McDaniels added 26, Conley 13. Q3 was theirs, 29-17, the deficit cut from 15 to 3, but the other 3 periods went 98-83 against them.
3/22 vs CLE 104-91 — MIN notes
MIN won 104-91. MIN shot 48% (41 of 85) to CLE's 42%, 14 of 27 from three. Conley led with 21 (8 of 15, 3 of 6 from three); Reid added 18, Edwards 16. The hinge was Q3, 26-17: MIN came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 6. MIN trailed 46-49 at the half and won the second half 58-42. McDaniels was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
3/24 vs GSW 114-110 — MIN notes
MIN won 114-110. MIN shot 48% (40 of 84) to GSW's 45%, 21 of 40 from three, and got to the line 18 times to GSW's 26. Edwards led with 23 (7 of 18, 4 of 8 from three, 5 of 8 at the line); Reid added 20, Gobert 17. The hinge was Q4, 36-29: MIN came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 4. MIN trailed 46-54 at the half and won the second half 68-56. Alexander-Walker was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
3/27 vs DET 106-91 — MIN notes
MIN won 106-91. MIN shot 51% (42 of 82) to DET's 38%, 11 of 36 from three, and got to the line 16 times to DET's 25. Reid led with 21 (9 of 18, 1 of 8 from three); McDaniels added 20, Anderson 14. The hinge was Q3, 31-21: a lead of 2 became 12, and the lead reached 17. Gobert was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
3/29 @ DEN 111-98 — MIN notes
MIN won 111-98. MIN shot 51% (38 of 74) to DEN's 40%, 9 of 28 from three, and went to the line 37 times to DEN's 27 — 26 points from the stripe to their 20. MIN turned it over 7 times to DEN's 12. Edwards led with 25 (8 of 19, 0 of 8 from three, 9 of 10 at the line); Conley added 23, Gobert 21. The hinge was Q2, 29-17: a lead of 7 became 19, and the lead reached 26. Anderson was the night's best plus/minus at +15.
3/31 vs CHI — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 101, shooting 49 percent and 40 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 21 and McDaniels at 17 a game. That is 4 straight wins. Without Towns (11 straight). One day's rest. Chicago comes in 1-4 over its last five, scoring 114 a night and allowing 116, shooting 49 percent and 35 from three, 22 free throws a game; DeRozan at 26 and Dosunmu at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 101 a night to Chicago's 116 and the arc, Minnesota at 40 percent from three to Chicago's 35. Call it Minnesota 114, Chicago 107.
4/02 vs HOU — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 107 a night and allowing 100, shooting 49 percent and 39 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 19 and Conley at 17 a game. Without Towns (12 straight). One day's rest. Houston comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 119 a night and allowing 112, shooting 45 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Ja. Green at 30 and VanVleet at 19 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 100 a night to Houston's 112. Call it Minnesota 113, Houston 108.
4/03 vs TOR — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 109 a night and allowing 103, shooting 50 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 20 and Reid at 17 a game. Without Towns (13 straight). Second night of a back-to-back. Toronto comes in 0-5 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 123, shooting 47 percent and 29 from three, 18 free throws a game; Trent Jr. at 22 and Dick at 15 a game. That is 5 straight losses. It has lost the glass by 13 a night. Without Agbaji (2 straight). Second night of a back-to-back.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 103 a night to Toronto's 123 and the glass, where Minnesota has been minus-2 a night and Toronto minus-13. Call it Minnesota 117, Toronto 106, Minnesota by 11.
4/05 @ PHX — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Phoenix comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 111 a night and allowing 108, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; Booker at 32 and Durant at 27 a game. It has won the glass by 8 a night. Without Okogie (2 straight). One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 4-1 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 98, shooting 51 percent and 36 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 21 and Reid at 18 a game. Without Towns (14 straight). One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, and the game turns on the glass, where Phoenix has been plus-8 a night and Minnesota minus-2 and the defense, Minnesota allowing 98 a night to Phoenix's 108. Call it Minnesota 111, Phoenix 109, Phoenix keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
CG C. Gillespie
DJ D. Jordan
HT H. Tyson
JH J. Holiday
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
KC K. Caldwell-Pope
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
PI Pickett
RJ R. Jackson
MINAE A. Edwards
JM J. McDaniels
JM J. McLaughlin
JM J. Minott
KA K. Anderson
MC M. Conley
MM M. Morris
NA N. Alexander-Walker
NR N. Reid
RG R. Gobert
WM W. Moore Jr.
DEN/MIN the team itself, not a player
-- the feed named nobody
What
What happened
the codes in the Events column
M2 / M3 made 2 / made 3
X2 / X3 missed 2 / missed 3
FT / X1 free throw made / missed
AST assist
OR / DR offensive / defensive rebound
STL steal
BLK block
TO turnover
FL foul
OF offensive foul — ends the possession
VIOL violation
JUMP jump ball
TM timeout
IR instant replay
HE heave at the buzzer, filed to the team
END the clock ran out, ball in hand
Where
Where a shot came from
the middle field of M3.LW.25
RM at the rim inside 4 ft
RC right corner
RW right wing
SO straight on
LW left wing
LC left corner
M3.LW.25 made 3, left wing, 25 ft
X2.RM.01 missed 2, at the rim, 1 ft
When
When it happened
the Offset column
one number per event, in the Events order:
whole seconds from the start of the
possession to that event
Events FL X3.RC.23 OR M2.RM.01
Offset 0 18 22 24
the foul opens the possession at 0s;
the putback ends it at 24s, which is
the possession's own Dur
MIN @ DEN Possessions
|||
Q1Q2Q3Q4END25:261109822:34-12-2:52
# Team Start Dur TOP PM PlayersEventsOffset
Q11 DEN Q1 12:00 17s 0:17+2AGA. GordonJOJokicAGA. GordonJUMP AST M2.RM.010 17 172 MIN Q1 11:43 19s 0:19NRN. ReidX3.LC.23173 DEN Q1 11:24 9s 0:26AGA. GordonRJR. JacksonDR X2.RW.050 74 MIN Q1 11:15 12s 0:31+2RGR. GobertJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsDR FT FT0 12 125 DEN Q1 11:03 23s 0:49AGA. GordonAGA. GordonFL X2.RM.010 216 MIN Q1 10:40 3s 0:34RGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsDR X3.SO.250 37 DEN Q1 10:37 17s 1:06KCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićDR TO0 178 MIN Q1 10:20 4s 0:38+2AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsSTL M2.RM.020 49 DEN Q1 10:16 7s 1:13+3AGA. GordonMPM. Porter Jr.AST M3.RC.237 710 MIN Q1 10:09 15s 0:53+2MCM. ConleyRGR. GobertAST M2.RM.0115 1511 DEN Q1 09:54 23s 1:36RJR. JacksonX3.LW.252012 MIN Q1 09:31 7s 1:00+3MCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyJMJ. McDanielsDR AST M3.RC.240 7 713 DEN Q1 09:24 19s 1:55+3JOJokicMPM. Porter Jr.AST M3.RW.2519 1914 MIN Q1 09:05 20s 1:20+3MCM. ConleyNRN. ReidAST M2.LC.0520 2015 DEN Q1 08:45 12s 2:07+1RJR. JacksonAGA. GordonDENDEN — teamAGA. GordonFL X1 OR FT0 12 12 1216 MIN Q1 08:33 11s 1:31+2MCM. ConleyAEA. EdwardsMCM. ConleyFL AST M2.LW.150 11 1117 DEN Q1 08:22 12s 2:19+2MPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.FT FT12 1218 MIN Q1 08:10 19s 1:50JMJ. McDanielsAEA. EdwardsFL X3.SO.260 1619 DEN Q1 07:51 25s 2:44MPM. Porter Jr.NJN. JokićDR X2.SO.100 2120 MIN Q1 07:26 17s 2:07NRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsDR X2.LC.100 1521 DEN Q1 07:09 3s 2:47+1MPM. Porter Jr.KCK. Caldwell-PopeDENDEN — teamAGA. GordonDENDEN — teamAGA. GordonDR X1 OR X1 OR FT0 3 3 3 3 322 MIN Q1 07:06 10s 2:17+2RGR. GobertRGR. GobertNRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsFL FL AST M2.RM.020 0 10 1023 DEN Q1 06:56 14s 3:01+3JOJokicRJR. JacksonAST M3.LW.2414 1424 MIN Q1 06:42 23s 2:40+3AEA. EdwardsMCM. ConleyAST M3.SO.2523 2325 DEN Q1 06:19 17s 3:18+3JOJokicAGA. GordonAST M3.RC.2317 1726 MIN Q1 06:02 27s 3:07NRN. ReidX2.LW.062427 DEN Q1 05:35 27s 3:45RJR. JacksonNJN. JokićDENDEN — teamDENDEN — teamNJN. JokićDR X2.RW.08 OR TM X2.SO.100 16 16 16 2428 MIN Q1 05:08 20s 3:27RGR. GobertNRN. ReidNRN. ReidMMM. MorrisBLK DR FT X3.LC.230 0 10 1729 DEN Q1 04:48 16s 4:01+2MPM. Porter Jr.AGA. GordonMPM. Porter Jr.AGA. GordonFL DR AST M2.RM.030 0 16 1630 MIN Q1 04:32 15s 3:42+2KAK. AndersonJMJ. McDanielsAST M2.LW.1515 1531 DEN Q1 04:17 21s 4:22NJN. JokićX2.RW.051932 MIN Q1 03:56 10s 3:52+2AEA. EdwardsKAK. AndersonJMJ. McDanielsDR AST M2.RM.030 10 1033 DEN Q1 03:46 15s 4:37+2AGA. GordonNJN. JokićAST M2.RW.0615 1534 MIN Q1 03:31 29s 4:21AEA. EdwardsX3.SO.302635 DEN Q1 03:02 15s 4:52PWP. WatsonKCK. Caldwell-PopeDR X3.SO.250 1236 MIN Q1 02:47 9s 4:30+2NRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsKAK. AndersonDR AST M2.LW.110 9 937 DEN Q1 02:38 19s 5:11CBC. BraunX3.RC.241538 MIN Q1 02:19 12s 4:42+2MMM. MorrisMINMIN — teamKAK. AndersonAEA. EdwardsDR TM AST M2.RM.000 0 12 1239 DEN Q1 02:07 29s 5:40CGC. GillespieX3.RW.262640 MIN Q1 01:38 11s 4:53RGR. GobertRGR. GobertKAK. AndersonFL DR X2.SO.110 0 841 DEN Q1 01:27 5s 5:45+2NJN. JokićJOJokicCBC. BraunDR AST M2.RM.030 5 542 MIN Q1 01:22 23s 5:16+2RGR. GobertRGR. GobertRGR. GobertX2.SO.07 OR M217 17 2443 DEN Q1 00:58 16s 6:00KCK. Caldwell-PopeX2.LC.131444 MIN Q1 00:43 8s 5:24+3KAK. AndersonKAK. AndersonRGR. GobertDR AST M2.RM.030 8 845 DEN Q1 00:35 5s 6:06+2CGC. GillespieNJN. JokićNJN. JokićFL FT FT1 6 646 MIN Q1 00:30 22s 5:46KAK. AndersonAEA. EdwardsFL X3.SO.250 2047 DEN Q1 00:08 8s 6:14JHJ. HolidayPWP. WatsonDENDEN — teamDR X2.RM.02 OR0 8 8Q248 MIN Q2 12:00 21s 6:07+2KAK. AndersonNRN. ReidAST M2.RM.0321 2149 DEN Q2 11:39 15s 6:29PWP. WatsonMPM. Porter Jr.VIOL X2.SO.200 1250 MIN Q2 11:24 12s 6:19+3NRN. ReidKAK. AndersonNAN. Alexander-WalkerDR AST M3.LC.230 12 1251 DEN Q2 11:12 22s 6:51+2PWP. WatsonRJR. JacksonAST M2.LW.1922 2252 MIN Q2 10:50 25s 6:44NRN. ReidX2.RM.032353 DEN Q2 10:25 11s 7:02PWP. WatsonCBC. BraunRJR. JacksonRJR. JacksonRJR. JacksonRJR. JacksonDR X3.RW.25 OR X2.RM.03 OR X2.RW.060 2 4 5 7 954 MIN Q2 10:14 4s 6:48+3JMJ. McLaughlinNRN. ReidNAN. Alexander-WalkerDR AST M3.RW.250 4 455 DEN Q2 10:10 15s 7:17DENDEN — teamRJR. JacksonTM X2.RM.041 1256 MIN Q2 09:55 2s 6:50+1JMJ. McLaughlinKAK. AndersonMINMIN — teamKAK. AndersonDR X1 OR FT0 2 2 257 DEN Q2 09:53 23s 7:40CBC. BraunDJD. JordanFL TO0 2358 MIN Q2 09:30 19s 7:09NRN. ReidX3.LC.241759 DEN Q2 09:11 17s 7:57DJD. JordanCBC. BraunDR X2.SO.080 1560 MIN Q2 08:54 10s 7:19+1JMJ. McLaughlinNRN. ReidNRN. ReidDR FT X10 7 761 DEN Q2 08:44 15s 8:12CBC. BraunDJD. JordanRJR. JacksonFL DR X2.RM.020 0 1262 MIN Q2 08:29 13s 7:32JMJ. McLaughlinNRN. ReidNAN. Alexander-WalkerNAN. Alexander-WalkerDR X3.RW.25 OR X20 6 12 1263 DEN Q2 08:16 7s 8:19+2DJD. JordanCBC. BraunMPM. Porter Jr.DR AST M2.SO.110 7 764 MIN Q2 08:09 13s 7:45+2JMJ. McLaughlinMCM. ConleyAST M2.LC.1313 1365 DEN Q2 07:56 16s 8:35+3RJR. JacksonAGA. GordonAST M3.LW.2516 1666 MIN Q2 07:40 23s 8:08+2MCM. ConleyRGR. GobertAST M2.RM.0223 2367 DEN Q2 07:17 19s 8:54+2AGA. GordonDJD. JordanAST M2.RM.0119 1968 MIN Q2 06:58 18s 8:26+3MCM. ConleyJMJ. McLaughlinAST M3.RC.2318 1869 DEN Q2 06:40 15s 9:09+2DENDEN — teamMPM. Porter Jr.NJN. JokićTM AST M2.LW.060 15 1570 MIN Q2 06:25 30s 8:56+2KAK. AndersonJMJ. McDanielsAST M2.RW.0930 3071 DEN Q2 05:55 27s 9:36MPM. Porter Jr.DENDEN — teamVIOL TO0 2772 MIN Q2 05:28 16s 9:12+2AEA. EdwardsM2.LW.201673 DEN Q2 05:12 33s 10:09NJN. JokićKCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićX2.RW.14 OR X3.RW.2522 24 3174 MIN Q2 04:39 3s 9:15+2KAK. AndersonJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsBLK DR M2.RM.020 0 375 DEN Q2 04:36 18s 10:27+2KCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićAST M2.RM.0118 1876 MIN Q2 04:18 26s 9:41+2JMJ. McLaughlinM2.LC.172677 DEN Q2 03:52 15s 10:42+2AGA. GordonNJN. JokićFL M2.LC.080 1578 MIN Q2 03:37 21s 10:02AEA. EdwardsX3.LW.301879 DEN Q2 03:16 10s 10:52AGA. GordonNJN. JokićDR X3.SO.270 780 MIN Q2 03:06 22s 10:24+2AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsDR M2.RM.020 2281 DEN Q2 02:44 22s 11:14RJR. JacksonNJN. JokićRJR. JacksonX3.SO.25 OR TO17 21 2282 MIN Q2 02:22 13s 10:37RGR. GobertMINMIN — teamRGR. GobertX1 OR X111 11 1183 DEN Q2 02:09 13s 11:27+2JHJ. HolidayAGA. GordonRJR. 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ConleySTL AST M3.LW.240 5 597 DEN Q3 10:29 29s 13:10+2NJN. JokićM2.RM.042998 MIN Q3 10:00 22s 13:12+2MCM. ConleyAEA. EdwardsAST M2.LW.1722 2299 DEN Q3 09:38 23s 13:33+2AGA. GordonMPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.AGA. GordonX2.RM.02 OR AST M2.RM.0118 20 23 23100 MIN Q3 09:15 22s 13:34+2RGR. GobertMCM. ConleyAST M2.RC.0622 22101 DEN Q3 08:53 28s 14:01NJN. JokićX2.SO.0923102 MIN Q3 08:25 13s 13:47NRN. ReidJMJ. McDanielsAEA. EdwardsFL DR X2.SO.160 0 12103 DEN Q3 08:12 0s 14:01+1DENDEN — teamNJN. JokićDENDEN — teamNJN. JokićDR X1 OR FT0 0 0 0104 MIN Q3 08:12 11s 13:58+3RGR. GobertJMJ. McDanielsMCM. ConleyFL AST M3.LW.240 11 11105 DEN Q3 08:01 16s 14:17+2RJR. JacksonRJR. JacksonFT FT16 16106 MIN Q3 07:45 14s 14:12+3MCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyFL M3.SO.260 14107 DEN Q3 07:31 15s 14:32RJR. JacksonNJN. JokićFL X2.SO.050 15108 MIN Q3 07:16 9s 14:21RGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsDR TO0 9109 DEN Q3 07:07 8s 14:40+2NJN. JokićMPM. Porter Jr.NJN. JokićSTL AST M2.RM.030 8 8110 MIN Q3 06:59 16s 14:37NRN. 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Conley, Edwards lead surging Timberwolves past Nuggets 111-98 and into 1st-place tie in West
DENVER -- — This is why Glen Taylor doesn't want to let go of the Minnesota Timberwolves .
Anthony Edwards scored 25 points and Mike Conley added 23 in Minnesota's 111-98 rout of Denver on Friday night that sent the Timberwolves into a first-place tie in the Western Conference — and the defending NBA champion Nuggets into third place.
“There's a lot of resilience to this team," T-Wolves coach Chris Finch said. "We've been very tough-minded all season. Our goal remains to play our best basketball heading into the playoffs. If that allows us to finish first, second or third, whatever, that's what it is. But we've got a lot of big games coming up against teams that are playing for a lot, as well.
"So, this was exactly the test that we need coming down the stretch.”
The Nuggets (51-23) failed to reach 100 points for the second straight game and fell a-half game behind the Timberwolves and the Oklahoma City Thunder , who easily handled Phoenix 125-108 on Friday night.
The Nuggets were without star point guard Jamal Murray (ankle, knee) for a fourth consecutive game, and once again their lack of depth was exposed as their bench provided very little help in Denver's second straight loss at home.
Nobody missed Murray more than MVP favorite Nikola Jokic , who had consecutive cringing turnovers to end the third quarter and missed 11 of his first 17 shots against Minnesota's pestering double teams before rallying to finish with 32 points despite playing with a sore shooting wrist.
“I was surprised he played tonight, to be quite honest,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “His wrist has really been giving him a lot of trouble, and Nikola is a guy who plays through a lot of things that most guys wouldn't play through.”
Malone also said Murray apologized to him for his absence, “and I said, ‘Don’t apologize. You're not trying to be hurt. And your health is more important than a win right now.'
“Because, as I've said many times, I have complete confidence that that group regardless of seed can beat anybody anywhere when we're healthy,” Malone added. "Because we've done it.”
Rudy Gobert added 21 points for Minnesota, which has won four in a row. Playing on the court where their playoff run ended last season, the Timberwolves took the lead for good on Gobert's alley-oop dunk in the opening minutes and never let up in cruising to their biggest victory of the season.
“It feels great,” Gobert said. "Obviously, coming in, they're a great team. They are a team that personally really inspired me, what they did last year. I have a lot of respect for this team and what they've accomplished. But we know that this year we're a more mature team than we were last year and we know that this year we have a lot of confidence in our ability to beat anyone anywhere.
“And today was a very, very good test.”
After going 15-2 coming out of the All-Star break, the Nuggets find themselves in a sudden slump with back-to-back losses at home for the first time all season. They lost to Phoenix 104-97 on Wednesday night.
Behind 13 early points from Jaden McDaniels , the Wolves grabbed a 62-43 halftime lead and were never threatened after the break.
This marked the Timberwolves' first game since Taylor declared Thursday he won't take the final step of his drawn-out $1.5 billion deal to hand Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez the majority stake in the franchise as planned.
“If there was ever a definition of ‘above your pay grade,’ this is it,” Finch said before tip-off. “For us, it's business as usual. ... There's been no ripple effects down here at troop level."
The Wolves improved to 9-3 since Karl-Anthony Towns went out with a torn meniscus three weeks ago.
“We're missing our best player," Edwards said, “so we're still not where we want to be.”
Malone talked up the Wolves long before they put a whooping on his team the likes of which the Nuggets haven't seen in years. He praised Edwards’ athleticism and physicality during his pregame news conference and also noted that Minnesota recently topped the 50-win mark for the fifth time ever.
“A lot to be excited about in Minnesota,” Malone said. “I wouldn’t sell the team, either.”