Game ID: 42300233
Denver Nuggets @ Minnesota Timberwolves
Friday, May 10, 2024 at 9:30 PM ET
Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
MIN 20 21 25 24 90DEN 28 28 37 24 117
DEN @ MIN ScoutingDEN @ 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.
MIN availability going into 4/26 · 2 days' restBACK Towns back 4/12 after 18, 27 min since (82% of 33)
MIN availability going into 4/28 · 1 day's restBACK Towns back 4/12 after 18, 26 min since (80% of 33)
MIN availability going into 5/04 · 5 days' restOUT McLaughlin missed 2 since 4/26, out tonight
MIN availability going into 5/06 · 1 day's restOUT McLaughlin missed 3 since 4/26, returns tonight: 3 min (30% of 11)
NEW McDaniels 30 to 36 min over the last 5
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 29 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 5/10 · 3 days' restBACK McLaughlin back 5/06 after 3, 3 min since (30% of 11)
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 30 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 5/12 · 1 day's restBACK McLaughlin back 5/06 after 3, 6 min since (53% of 11)
NEW Alexander-Walker 24 to 29 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 5/14 · 1 day's restBACK McLaughlin back 5/06 after 3, 6 min since (53% of 11)
MIN availability going into 5/16 · 1 day's restOUT McLaughlin missed 2 since 5/12, returns tonight: 8 min (74% of 11)
NEW Edwards 36 to 41 min over the last 5
MIN availability going into 5/19 · 2 days' restBACK McLaughlin back 5/06 after 3, 6 min since (60% of 11)
DEN availability going into 4/27 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 2 since 4/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 3 since 4/20, out tonight
DEN availability going into 4/29 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 3 since 4/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 4 since 4/20, out tonight
DEN availability going into 5/04 · 4 days' restOUT Jordan missed 4 since 4/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 5 since 4/20, out tonight
NEW Murray 33 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Gordon 32 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 39 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/06 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 5 since 4/22, out tonight
OUT Strawther missed 6 since 4/20, returns tonight: 4 min (33% of 11)
NEW Jokić 35 to 41 min over the last 5
NEW Murray 33 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Gordon 32 to 40 min over the last 5
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 40 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/10 · 3 days' restOUT Jordan missed 6 since 4/22, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 5/06 after 6, 4 min since (33% of 11)
NEW Murray 33 to 38 min over the last 5
NEW Gordon 32 to 39 min over the last 5
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 40 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/12 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 7 since 4/22, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 5/06 after 6, 4 min since (34% of 11)
NEW Gordon 32 to 37 min over the last 5
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 39 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/14 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 8 since 4/22, out tonight
BACK Strawther back 5/06 after 6, 4 min since (34% of 11)
NEW Porter Jr. 32 to 38 min over the last 5
DEN availability going into 5/16 · 1 day's restOUT Jordan missed 9 since 4/22, returns tonight: 4 min (41% of 11)
OUT Strawther missed 2 since 5/12, returns tonight: 9 min (81% of 11)
DEN availability going into 5/19 · 2 days' restBACK Jordan back 5/16 after 9, 4 min since (41% of 11)
BACK Strawther back 5/06 after 6, 5 min since (50% of 11)
I Know — the desk, before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 5-0 over its last five, scoring 113 a night and allowing 99, shooting 49 percent and 38 from three, 24 free throws a game; Edwards at 32 and Towns at 21 a game. That is 5 straight wins. It has won the glass by 6 a night. 3 days' rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 108, shooting 45 percent and 33 from three, 19 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Porter Jr. at 20 a game. 3 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the defense, Minnesota allowing 99 a night to Denver's 108 and the arc, Minnesota at 38 percent from three to Denver's 33. Call it Minnesota 112, Denver 104.
4/26 @ PHX 126-109 — MIN notes
MIN won 126-109. MIN shot 49% (43 of 87) to PHX's 46%, 13 of 34 from three. The glass went 50-28 for them. Edwards led with 36 (12 of 23, 1 of 5 from three, 11 of 11 at the line); Gobert added 19, Towns 18. The hinge was Q3, 36-20: a lead of 6 became 22. Alexander-Walker was the night's best plus/minus at +23.
4/28 @ PHX 122-116 — MIN notes
MIN won 122-116. MIN shot 46% (41 of 89) to PHX's 51%, 15 of 36 from three. The glass went 44-33 for them. Edwards led with 40 (13 of 23, 7 of 13 from three, 7 of 10 at the line); Towns added 28, McDaniels 18. The hinge was Q4, 32-24: MIN came in trailing by 2 and left it ahead by 6. MIN trailed 56-61 at the half and won the second half 66-55. Conley was the night's best plus/minus at +16.
5/04 @ DEN 106-99 — MIN notes
MIN won 106-99. MIN shot 52% (43 of 82) to DEN's 47%, 11 of 27 from three, and got to the line 12 times to DEN's 20. Edwards led with 43 (17 of 29, 3 of 7 from three, 6 of 6 at the line); Towns added 20, Reid 16. The hinge was Q3, 33-27: MIN came in trailing by 4 and left it ahead by 2. MIN trailed 40-44 at the half and won the second half 66-55. Conley was the night's best plus/minus at +20.
5/06 @ DEN 106-80 — MIN notes
MIN won 106-80. MIN shot 50% (42 of 84) to DEN's 35%, 13 of 33 from three. Edwards led with 27 (11 of 17, 1 of 4 from three, 4 of 7 at the line); Towns added 27, Alexander-Walker 14. The hinge was Q2, 33-15: a lead of 8 became 26, and the lead reached 32. McDaniels was the night's best plus/minus at +26.
5/10 vs DEN 90-117 — MIN notes
MIN lost 90-117. MIN shot 44% (31 of 71) to DEN's 54%, 10 of 33 from three. Edwards led with 19 (8 of 15, 3 of 8 from three); Towns added 14, Conley 10. Q4 was theirs, 24-24, but the other 3 periods went 93-66 against them. Edwards's -32 in 37 minutes was the worst on the floor.
5/12 vs DEN — 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 110 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Towns at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Minnesota 111, Denver 105.
5/14 @ DEN — 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 104 a night and allowing 103, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 20 a game. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 35 and Towns at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the line, where Minnesota takes 22 free throws a game to Denver's 16. Call it Denver 109, Minnesota 106, Minnesota keeping it close.
5/16 vs DEN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Edwards at 30 and Towns at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 101, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Gordon at 17 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 42 percent from three to Minnesota's 36. Call it Minnesota 107, Denver 106, Denver keeping it close.
5/19 @ DEN — 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 99 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Gordon at 18 a game. 2 days' rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 99, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and Towns at 17 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Minnesota 106, Denver 105, Denver keeping it close.
4/27 @ LAL 108-119 — DEN notes
DEN lost 108-119. DEN shot 45% (39 of 87) to LAL's 52%, 9 of 30 from three, and went to the line 25 times to LAL's 18 — 21 points from the stripe to their 15. Jokić led with 33 (10 of 20, 2 of 5 from three, 11 of 11 at the line); Porter Jr. added 27, Murray 22. Q3 was theirs, 32-30, the deficit cut from 13 to 11, but the other 3 periods went 89-76 against them. Braun's -13 in 12 minutes was the worst on the floor.
4/29 vs LAL 108-106 — DEN notes
DEN won 108-106. DEN shot 47% (42 of 89) to LAL's 46%, 16 of 38 from three, and got to the line 9 times to LAL's 27. DEN turned it over 13 times to LAL's 8. Murray led with 32 (13 of 28, 5 of 10 from three); Porter Jr. added 26, Jokić 25. The hinge was Q3, 31-26: DEN came in trailing by 3 and left it ahead by 2. DEN trailed 50-53 at the half and won the second half 58-53. Porter Jr. was the night's best plus/minus at +12.
5/04 vs MIN 99-106 — DEN notes
DEN lost 99-106. DEN shot 47% (35 of 75) to MIN's 52%, 13 of 31 from three, and went to the line 20 times to MIN's 12 — 16 points from the stripe to their 9. Jokić led with 32 (11 of 25, 2 of 9 from three, 8 of 8 at the line); Porter Jr. added 20, Murray 17. Q1 was theirs, 25-23, but the other 3 periods went 83-74 against them. Gordon's -23 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
5/06 vs MIN 80-106 — DEN notes
DEN lost 80-106. DEN shot 35% (29 of 83) to MIN's 50%, 9 of 30 from three. Gordon led with 20 (8 of 14, 3 of 5 from three); Jokić added 16, Holiday 13. Q3 was theirs, 25-21, the deficit cut from 26 to 22, but the other 3 periods went 85-55 against them. Gordon's -33 in 33 minutes was the worst on the floor.
5/10 @ MIN 117-90 — DEN notes
DEN won 117-90. DEN shot 54% (43 of 80) to MIN's 44%, 14 of 29 from three. Jokić led with 24 (10 of 18, 1 of 3 from three); Murray added 24, Porter Jr. 21. The hinge was Q3, 37-25: a lead of 15 became 27, and the lead reached 34. Caldwell-Pope was the night's best plus/minus at +31.
5/12 @ MIN — 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 110 a night and allowing 104, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 23 free throws a game; Edwards at 33 and Towns at 21 a game. It has won the glass by 5 a night. One day's rest. Denver comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 102 a night and allowing 105, shooting 45 percent and 39 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 21 a game. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Minnesota 111, Denver 105.
5/14 vs MIN — 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 104 a night and allowing 103, shooting 48 percent and 41 from three, 16 free throws a game; Jokić at 26 and Murray at 20 a game. One day's rest. Minnesota comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 106 a night and allowing 105, shooting 48 percent and 38 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 35 and Towns at 20 a game. One day's rest.
So: Denver wins, and the game turns on the line, where Minnesota takes 22 free throws a game to Denver's 16. Call it Denver 109, Minnesota 106, Minnesota keeping it close.
5/16 @ MIN — I Know, the desk before tip-off
Written before tip-off, from the five games each side brought in.
Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 101 a night and allowing 105, shooting 49 percent and 36 from three, 19 free throws a game; Edwards at 30 and Towns at 19 a game. That is 3 straight losses. One day's rest. Denver comes in 3-2 over its last five, scoring 105 a night and allowing 101, shooting 49 percent and 42 from three, 18 free throws a game; Jokić at 29 and Gordon at 17 a game. That is 3 straight wins. One day's rest.
So: Minnesota wins, and the game turns on the arc, Denver at 42 percent from three to Minnesota's 36. Call it Minnesota 107, Denver 106, Denver keeping it close.
5/19 vs MIN — 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 99 a night and allowing 103, shooting 46 percent and 36 from three, 17 free throws a game; Jokić at 27 and Gordon at 18 a game. 2 days' rest. Minnesota comes in 2-3 over its last five, scoring 103 a night and allowing 99, shooting 47 percent and 36 from three, 22 free throws a game; Edwards at 27 and Towns at 17 a game. 2 days' rest.
So: Minnesota wins, on the road, in a game with no one edge to lean on. Call it Minnesota 106, Denver 105, Denver keeping it close.
Who is who
the initials in the Players column
DENAG A. Gordon
CB C. Braun
HT H. Tyson
JH J. Holiday
JM J. Murray
JP J. Pickett
JS J. Strawther
JO Jokic
KC K. Caldwell-Pope
MP M. Porter Jr.
NJ N. Jokić
PW P. Watson
RJ R. Jackson
ZN Z. Nnaji
MINAE A. Edwards
JM J. McDaniels
JM J. McLaughlin
JM J. Minott
KA K. Anderson
KT K. Towns
LG L. Garza
MC M. Conley
MM M. Morris
NA N. Alexander-Walker
NR N. Reid
RG R. Gobert
TW T. Warren
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
DEN @ MIN Possessions
|||
Q1Q2Q3Q4END+3:1011425:35+2522:2589
# Team Start Dur TOP PM PlayersEventsOffset
Q11 DEN Q1 12:00 25s 0:25+2AGA. GordonMPM. Porter Jr.NJN. JokićAGA. GordonKCK. Caldwell-PopeJUMP X2.RW.17 OR AST M2.RW.180 17 21 25 252 MIN Q1 11:35 21s 0:21JMJ. McDanielsX3.SO.25193 DEN Q1 11:14 9s 0:34+2JMJ. MurrayJMJ. MurrayDR M2.RM.010 94 MIN Q1 11:05 14s 0:35AEA. EdwardsTO145 DEN Q1 10:51 21s 0:55JMJ. MurrayX2.LW.21186 MIN Q1 10:30 11s 0:46+3MCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyAEA. EdwardsDR AST M3.RW.260 11 117 DEN Q1 10:19 22s 1:17KCK. Caldwell-PopeAGA. GordonFL X3.RC.230 208 MIN Q1 09:57 9s 0:55+3MCM. ConleyAEA. EdwardsKTK. TownsDR AST M3.SO.260 9 99 DEN Q1 09:48 24s 1:41+2JOJokicAGA. GordonAST M2.RM.0324 2410 MIN Q1 09:24 25s 1:20KTK. TownsMCM. ConleyFL X3.LW.250 2211 DEN Q1 08:59 16s 1:57+3MPM. Porter Jr.JMJ. MurrayMPM. Porter Jr.DR AST M3.LW.250 16 1612 MIN Q1 08:43 14s 1:34+3MCM. ConleyKTK. TownsAST M3.SO.2714 1413 DEN Q1 08:29 34s 2:31NJN. JokićX2.RC.113114 MIN Q1 07:55 12s 1:46JMJ. McDanielsKTK. TownsRGR. GobertFL DR X2.RM.030 0 1015 DEN Q1 07:43 6s 2:37NJN. JokićMPM. Porter Jr.DR X2.RW.040 416 MIN Q1 07:37 28s 2:14AEA. EdwardsJMJ. McDanielsMCM. ConleyJMJ. McDanielsBLK DR FT X3.RC.240 0 18 2617 DEN Q1 07:09 27s 3:04AGA. GordonNJN. JokićKCK. Caldwell-PopeJMJ. MurrayFL FL DR X2.SO.080 0 0 2418 MIN Q1 06:42 5s 2:19AEA. EdwardsMINMIN — teamRGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsFL TM DR X3.SO.250 0 0 319 DEN Q1 06:37 7s 3:11+2KCK. Caldwell-PopeMPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.DR FT FT0 7 720 MIN Q1 06:30 16s 2:35JMJ. McDanielsMCM. ConleyFL X3.LW.250 1321 DEN Q1 06:14 14s 3:25MPM. Porter Jr.AGA. GordonDR X2.SO.120 1222 MIN Q1 06:00 12s 2:47MINMIN — teamNAN. Alexander-WalkerDR TO0 1223 DEN Q1 05:48 3s 3:28+1MPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.STL FT X10 1 124 MIN Q1 05:45 11s 2:58+2NRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsRGR. GobertFL DR AST M2.RM.020 0 11 1125 DEN Q1 05:34 24s 3:52NJN. JokićX2.SO.092226 MIN Q1 05:10 8s 3:06NRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsDR TO0 827 DEN Q1 05:02 11s 4:03NJN. JokićMPM. Porter Jr.STL X3.RW.270 728 MIN Q1 04:51 15s 3:21MCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyDR X2.RM.010 1329 DEN Q1 04:36 15s 4:18+2AGA. GordonKCK. Caldwell-PopeAGA. GordonAGA. GordonMPM. Porter Jr.DR X3.RC.23 OR AST M2.RM.030 10 14 15 1530 MIN Q1 04:21 23s 3:44+2AEA. EdwardsMCM. ConleyAST M2.RW.0923 2331 DEN Q1 03:58 18s 4:36+2JMJ. MurrayM2.LW.191832 MIN Q1 03:40 17s 4:01+2MCM. ConleyNRN. ReidAST M2.RM.0317 1733 DEN Q1 03:23 20s 4:56+1NJN. JokićNJN. JokićFT X119 1934 MIN Q1 03:03 23s 4:24RGR. GobertKTK. TownsMINMIN — teamFL DR TO0 0 2335 DEN Q1 02:40 8s 5:04+2DENDEN — teamJMJ. MurrayTM M2.RM.020 836 MIN Q1 02:32 16s 4:40AEA. EdwardsX3.RW.261437 DEN Q1 02:16 19s 5:23+2NJN. JokićJHJ. HolidayNJN. JokićNJN. JokićDR X2.RM.02 OR M20 18 19 1938 MIN Q1 01:57 12s 4:52+2NRN. ReidNAN. Alexander-WalkerVIOL M2.LW.220 1239 DEN Q1 01:45 24s 5:47+2JMJ. MurrayM2.SO.212440 MIN Q1 01:21 20s 5:12NRN. ReidX3.RW.251641 DEN Q1 01:01 6s 5:53+3NJN. JokićMPM. Porter Jr.JHJ. HolidayDR AST M3.LC.230 7 742 MIN Q1 00:54 34s 5:46+2NAN. Alexander-WalkerMINMIN — team---KTK. TownsAEA. EdwardsX3.LW.25 OR IR AST M2.RM.0222 23 23 34 3443 DEN Q1 00:21 20s 6:13+2JHJ. HolidayNJN. JokićFL M2.RM.030 2044 MIN Q1 00:01 2s 5:47ENDQ245 MIN Q2 12:00 25s 6:12KTK. TownsX2.LW.092246 DEN Q2 11:35 12s 6:25+3MPM. Porter Jr.JMJ. MurrayJHJ. HolidayDR AST M3.RC.230 12 1247 MIN Q2 11:23 15s 6:27NRN. ReidX2.RM.031348 DEN Q2 11:08 10s 6:35+3JMJ. MurrayJMJ. MurrayDR M3.SO.260 1049 MIN Q2 10:58 18s 6:45+3NAN. Alexander-WalkerKTK. TownsAST M3.LW.2618 1850 DEN Q2 10:40 31s 7:06AGA. GordonJMJ. MurrayFL X2.SO.160 2951 MIN Q2 10:09 16s 7:01KTK. TownsNRN. ReidDR X2.RM.010 1452 DEN Q2 09:53 4s 7:10+2MPM. Porter Jr.JHJ. HolidayMPM. Porter Jr.MPM. Porter Jr.FL DR FT FT0 0 4 453 MIN Q2 09:49 23s 7:24JMJ. McDanielsKAK. AndersonFL X2.LW.070 2054 DEN Q2 09:26 12s 7:22+2MPM. Porter Jr.NJN. JokićJOJokicKCK. Caldwell-PopeFL DR AST M2.LC.130 0 12 1255 MIN Q2 09:14 15s 7:39+2AEA. EdwardsM2.RM.011556 DEN Q2 08:59 15s 7:37+2JOJokicCBC. BraunAST M2.RM.0015 1557 MIN Q2 08:44 23s 8:02MCM. ConleyX3.RC.242058 DEN Q2 08:21 9s 7:46+2CBC. BraunJMJ. MurrayDR M2.RM.020 959 MIN Q2 08:12 20s 8:22MINMIN — teamKTK. TownsTM X2.SO.081 1760 DEN Q2 07:52 13s 7:59NJN. JokićJMJ. MurrayDR X2.RW.100 1061 MIN Q2 07:39 13s 8:35MCM. ConleyKTK. TownsDR TO0 1362 DEN Q2 07:26 19s 8:18NJN. JokićX3.SO.251563 MIN Q2 07:07 12s 8:47AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsDR X3.SO.250 1064 DEN Q2 06:55 16s 8:34+3DENDEN — teamJHJ. HolidayCBC. BraunDR AST M3.LW.250 16 1665 MIN Q2 06:39 32s 9:19+2MCM. ConleyRGR. GobertRGR. GobertX2.RM.02 OR M2.RM.0028 31 3266 DEN Q2 06:07 19s 8:53NJN. JokićNJN. JokićBLK TO0 1967 MIN Q2 05:48 5s 9:24+2AEA. EdwardsNRN. ReidAEA. EdwardsFL STL M2.RM.010 0 568 DEN Q2 05:43 22s 9:15KCK. Caldwell-PopeX3.RW.251869 MIN Q2 05:21 7s 9:31+3MCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyDR M3.RW.260 770 DEN Q2 05:14 29s 9:44+2DENDEN — teamJOJokicMPM. Porter Jr.TM AST M2.RM.010 29 2971 MIN Q2 04:45 22s 9:53NAN. Alexander-WalkerRGR. GobertMINMIN — teamRGR. GobertFL X1 OR X10 20 20 2072 DEN Q2 04:23 14s 9:58+2MPM. Porter Jr.CBC. BraunKCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićFL DR AST M2.SO.160 0 14 1473 MIN Q2 04:09 17s 10:10NRN. ReidMCM. ConleyFL X3.RW.260 1574 DEN Q2 03:52 5s 10:03+2NJN. JokićRJR. JacksonRJR. JacksonDR FT FT0 5 575 MIN Q2 03:47 12s 10:22NAN. Alexander-WalkerAEA. EdwardsFL X2.RM.020 976 DEN Q2 03:35 1s 10:04NJN. JokićRJR. JacksonDR TO0 177 MIN Q2 03:34 15s 10:37+2KTK. TownsMCM. ConleyNRN. ReidNRN. ReidJUMP STL FT FT0 0 15 1578 DEN Q2 03:19 18s 10:22RJR. JacksonNJN. JokićFL X2.SO.130 1679 MIN Q2 03:01 7s 10:44+2MCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyMCM. ConleyDR FT FT0 7 780 DEN Q2 02:54 23s 10:45+2KCK. Caldwell-PopeJOJokicJMJ. MurrayFL AST M2.RC.130 23 2381 MIN Q2 02:31 26s 11:10+2MINMIN — team---AEA. EdwardsNAN. Alexander-WalkerTM IR AST M2.RM.019 9 26 2682 DEN Q2 02:05 29s 11:14JMJ. MurrayX3.RW.262783 MIN Q2 01:36 9s 11:19AEA. EdwardsJMJ. McLaughlinDR X3.LC.220 884 DEN Q2 01:27 18s 11:32+3KCK. Caldwell-PopeJOJokicJMJ. MurrayDR AST M3.RW.240 18 1885 MIN Q2 01:09 22s 11:41JMJ. McLaughlinX3.RC.232086 DEN Q2 00:47 12s 11:44KCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićDR X2.SO.090 1087 MIN Q2 00:35 7s 11:48+3KTK. TownsNRN. ReidKTK. TownsDR AST M3.SO.260 7 788 DEN Q2 00:28 15s 11:59JMJ. MurrayOF1589 MIN Q2 00:13 12s 12:00NRN. ReidX3.RC.231290 DEN Q2 00:01 1s 12:00PWP. WatsonDR0Q391 MIN Q3 12:00 16s 12:16+2KTK. TownsJMJ. McDanielsAST M2.RM.0316 1692 DEN Q3 11:44 19s 12:19+3JOJokicAGA. GordonAST M3.SO.2619 1993 MIN Q3 11:25 15s 12:31RGR. GobertX2.RM.031594 DEN Q3 11:10 20s 12:39+2NJN. JokićDENDEN — teamDENDEN — team---KCK. Caldwell-PopeBLK DR TM IR M2.SO.210 0 0 0 2095 MIN Q3 10:50 17s 12:48+3KTK. TownsMCM. ConleyAEA. EdwardsFL AST M3.SO.270 17 1796 DEN Q3 10:33 27s 13:06+2JMJ. MurrayM2.LW.142797 MIN Q3 10:06 24s 13:12+2AEA. EdwardsMCM. ConleyAST M2.RM.0324 2498 DEN Q3 09:42 37s 13:43JMJ. MurrayJMJ. MurrayNJN. JokićX2.SO.10 OR X3.LW.2525 26 3499 MIN Q3 09:05 6s 13:18JMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsAEA. EdwardsBLK FL DR X3.RW.260 0 0 4100 DEN Q3 08:59 9s 13:52+3JMJ. MurrayJOJokicAGA. GordonDR AST M3.RW.240 9 9101 MIN Q3 08:50 22s 13:40+2KTK. TownsRGR. GobertAST M2.RM.0322 22102 DEN Q3 08:28 23s 14:15+3KCK. Caldwell-PopeAGA. GordonAST M3.RC.2423 23103 MIN Q3 08:05 18s 13:58MCM. ConleyTO18104 DEN Q3 07:47 5s 14:20+3AGA. GordonJMJ. MurrayMPM. Porter Jr.STL AST M3.RW.250 5 5105 MIN Q3 07:42 19s 14:17+2MINMIN — teamMCM. ConleyJMJ. McDanielsTM AST M2.RM.011 19 19106 DEN Q3 07:23 22s 14:42+3KCK. Caldwell-PopeKCK. Caldwell-PopeKCK. Caldwell-PopeFT FT FT22 22 22107 MIN Q3 07:01 13s 14:30+3MCM. ConleyRGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsFL AST M3.LC.240 13 13108 DEN Q3 06:48 22s 15:04JMJ. MurrayX2.RM.0320109 MIN Q3 06:26 6s 14:36+2RGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsDR M2.SO.160 6110 DEN Q3 06:20 12s 15:16+2NJN. JokićM2.RW.0612111 MIN Q3 06:08 33s 15:09AEA. EdwardsMINMIN — teamMINMIN — teamX3.RW.27 OR TO32 33 33112 DEN Q3 05:35 17s 15:33KCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićJMJ. MurrayFL FL X3.LW.260 0 15113 MIN Q3 05:18 17s 15:26+2AEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsDR M2.RM.020 17114 DEN Q3 05:01 11s 15:44NJN. JokićOF11115 MIN Q3 04:50 14s 15:40NAN. Alexander-WalkerRGR. GobertJMJ. McDanielsX3.SO.26 OR TO10 12 14116 DEN Q3 04:36 20s 16:04+2AGA. GordonNJN. JokićSTL M2.RW.090 20117 MIN Q3 04:16 11s 15:51RGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsFL OF0 11118 DEN Q3 04:05 10s 16:14MPM. Porter Jr.OF10119 MIN Q3 03:55 11s 16:02KTK. TownsX3.LW.267120 DEN Q3 03:44 12s 16:26+2NJN. JokićJMJ. MurrayNJN. JokićDR AST M2.SO.080 12 12121 MIN Q3 03:32 10s 16:12AEA. EdwardsX2.SO.089122 DEN Q3 03:22 11s 16:37+2NJN. JokićNJN. JokićJOJokicAGA. GordonBLK DR AST M2.RM.020 0 11 11123 MIN Q3 03:11 24s 16:36MINMIN — teamKAK. AndersonTM X2.SO.072 21124 DEN Q3 02:47 6s 16:43NJN. JokićJMJ. MurrayDR TO0 6125 MIN Q3 02:41 4s 16:40+3KAK. AndersonKAK. AndersonNRN. ReidSTL AST M3.RW.260 4 4126 DEN Q3 02:37 27s 17:10+3AGA. GordonNJN. JokićAST M3.SO.2727 27127 MIN Q3 02:10 25s 17:05KTK. TownsTO25128 DEN Q3 01:45 7s 17:17JMJ. MurrayNJN. JokićSTL TO0 7129 MIN Q3 01:38 3s 17:08+2KAK. AndersonKTK. TownsKTK. TownsSTL FT FT0 3 3130 DEN Q3 01:35 17s 17:34+2NJN. JokićKCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićFL AST M2.RW.080 17 17131 MIN Q3 01:18 16s 17:24NRN. ReidX2.LW.0614132 DEN Q3 01:02 17s 17:51+2CBC. BraunKCK. Caldwell-PopeRJR. JacksonDR FT M2.RW.190 0 18133 MIN Q3 00:44 14s 17:38NRN. ReidNAN. Alexander-WalkerFL TO0 15134 DEN Q3 00:30 20s 18:12+2NJN. JokićDENDEN — team---NJN. JokićNJN. JokićSTL TM IR FT FT0 21 21 21 21135 MIN Q3 00:09 9s 17:48+2NAN. Alexander-WalkerRGR. GobertNAN. Alexander-WalkerKAK. AndersonVIOL FL AST M2.RW.230 1 10 10136 DEN Q3 00:00 1s 18:12---IR1Q4137 DEN Q4 12:00 24s 18:36CBC. BraunDENDEN — teamDENDEN — teamX2.LW.11 OR TO19 20 24138 MIN Q4 11:36 17s 18:05+2JMJ. McDanielsNAN. Alexander-WalkerNAN. Alexander-WalkerBLK FT FT0 17 17139 DEN Q4 11:19 17s 18:53JMJ. MurrayCBC. BraunFL X3.LW.250 14140 MIN Q4 11:02 3s 18:08+1JMJ. McDanielsKAK. AndersonMINMIN — teamKAK. AndersonDR X1 OR FT0 3 3 3141 DEN Q4 10:59 17s 19:10CBC. BraunJMJ. MurrayFL TO0 17142 MIN Q4 10:42 4s 18:12+2JMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsSTL M2.RM.010 4143 DEN Q4 10:38 19s 19:29+2JMJ. MurrayM2.RW.2119144 MIN Q4 10:19 12s 18:24+1JMJ. McDanielsJMJ. McDanielsFT X18 8145 DEN Q4 10:07 5s 19:34+3JMJ. MurrayMPM. Porter Jr.AGA. GordonMPM. Porter Jr.FL DR AST M3.RW.260 0 5 5146 MIN Q4 10:02 12s 18:36+2MCM. ConleyJMJ. McDanielsAST M2.RM.0212 12147 DEN Q4 09:50 23s 19:57MPM. Porter Jr.TO23148 MIN Q4 09:27 19s 18:55MCM. ConleyTO19149 DEN Q4 09:08 26s 20:23JHJ. HolidayJMJ. MurrayMPM. Porter Jr.FL STL X2.RM.010 0 24150 MIN Q4 08:42 6s 19:01+1AEA. EdwardsJMJ. McDanielsMINMIN — teamJMJ. McDanielsDR X1 OR FT0 6 6 6151 DEN Q4 08:36 23s 20:46+2JHJ. HolidayNJN. JokićNJN. JokićNJN. JokićFL X2.RW.09 OR M20 21 23 23152 MIN Q4 08:13 13s 19:14MCM. ConleyTO13153 DEN Q4 08:00 17s 21:03NJN. JokićJMJ. MurraySTL X3.SO.250 14154 MIN Q4 07:43 7s 19:21RGR. GobertAEA. EdwardsAEA. EdwardsFL DR TO0 0 7155 DEN Q4 07:36 3s 21:06+2JMJ. MurrayAGA. GordonJMJ. MurraySTL AST M2.RM.010 3 3156 MIN Q4 07:33 13s 19:34AEA. EdwardsTO13157 DEN Q4 07:20 14s 21:20+3JMJ. MurrayMPM. Porter Jr.AST M3.LC.2314 14158 MIN Q4 07:06 21s 19:55MINMIN — teamNAN. Alexander-WalkerTM X3.LW.260 20159 DEN Q4 06:45 35s 21:55DENDEN — teamNJN. JokićNJN. JokićJMJ. MurrayDR X2.SO.06 OR X2.RM.040 20 22 33160 MIN Q4 06:10 1s 19:56KTK. TownsKTK. TownsDR TO0 1161 DEN Q4 06:09 12s 22:07+2KCK. Caldwell-PopeNJN. JokićAST M2.SO.0612 12162 MIN Q4 05:57 23s 20:19MINMIN — teamNAN. Alexander-WalkerKAK. AndersonJMJ. MinottTM FL FL X3.LW.263 3 3 20163 DEN Q4 05:34 22s 22:29KCK. Caldwell-PopeKCK. Caldwell-PopeRJR. JacksonKCK. Caldwell-PopeFT FT DR X2.RW.210 0 0 18164 MIN Q4 05:12 9s 20:28+2MMM. MorrisTWT. WarrenMINMIN — teamLGL. GarzaLGL. GarzaDR X3.RC.23 OR FT FT0 7 7 9 9165 DEN Q4 05:03 12s 22:41MPM. Porter Jr.DENDEN — teamZNZ. NnajiFL TM OF0 0 12166 MIN Q4 04:51 13s 20:41+2JMJ. MinottLGL. GarzaAST M2.RM.0213 13167 DEN Q4 04:38 23s 23:04JHJ. HolidayX3.LW.2521168 MIN Q4 04:15 7s 20:48+2JMJ. MinottTWT. WarrenMMM. MorrisDR AST M2.SO.150 7 7169 DEN Q4 04:08 25s 23:29PWP. WatsonX2.LW.0923170 MIN Q4 03:43 18s 21:06MINMIN — teamMMM. MorrisDR X2.LW.200 13171 DEN Q4 03:25 20s 23:49RJR. JacksonRJR. JacksonDR X3.SO.260 19172 MIN Q4 03:05 15s 21:21+2MINMIN — teamJMJ. MinottLGL. GarzaDR AST M2.RM.030 15 15173 DEN Q4 02:50 27s 24:16+3RJR. JacksonHTH. TysonHTH. TysonJSJ. StrawtherX3.LC.23 OR AST M3.RW.2623 25 27 27174 MIN Q4 02:23 22s 21:43MMM. MorrisX2.RC.1319175 DEN Q4 02:01 3s 24:19+2RJR. JacksonRJR. JacksonDR M2.RM.000 3176 MIN Q4 01:58 8s 21:51+2JMJ. McLaughlinTWT. WarrenTWT. WarrenLGL. GarzaLGL. GarzaLGL. GarzaX3.RW.25 OR X2.RM.02 OR FT FT7 8 8 8 8 8177 DEN Q4 01:50 17s 24:36JSJ. StrawtherJSJ. StrawtherFL X3.SO.260 15178 MIN Q4 01:33 0s 21:51+2LGL. GarzaMMM. MorrisMMM. MorrisDR FT FT0 0 0179 DEN Q4 01:33 9s 24:45PWP. WatsonHTH. TysonFL X3.SO.250 5180 MIN Q4 01:24 5s 21:56+3TWT. WarrenJMJ. McLaughlinJMJ. MinottDR AST M3.RW.260 5 5181 DEN Q4 01:19 12s 24:57+1HTH. TysonDENDEN — teamHTH. TysonX1 OR FT12 12 12182 MIN Q4 01:07 22s 22:18MMM. MorrisMMM. MorrisJMJ. MinottJMJ. MinottJMJ. McLaughlinMINMIN — teamJMJ. McLaughlinFL FL X2.RW.10 OR X1 OR X10 0 12 16 21 21 21183 DEN Q4 00:44 17s 25:14+2PWP. WatsonJPJ. PickettPWP. WatsonPWP. WatsonZNZ. NnajiZNZ. NnajiBLK FL DR X2.RM.03 OR M20 0 1 17 18 18184 MIN Q4 00:27 7s 22:25MMM. MorrisX3.RW.266185 DEN Q4 00:20 20s 25:35JSJ. StrawtherDR0
Nuggets bounce back with 117-90 blowout of Timberwolves behind 24 points from energized Murray
MINNEAPOLIS -- — The Denver Nuggets were simply too determined, too experienced, too proud and too talented to let their flop in the first two games define this series against the surging Minnesota Timberwolves .
This is what defending NBA champions do — quiet a raucous crowd, embrace the boos and take the momentum right back.
Jamal Murray rebounded from a rough start to the Western Conference semifinals with 24 points to lead the Nuggets on a 117-90 romp Friday night in Game 3 that made the Timberwolves the last team in the NBA to lose this postseason.
“It honestly just kind of makes you better because you have to respond,” said Murray, who was roundly booed each time he touched the ball. “It just makes you have to lock in and be there for your teammates.”
Nikola Jokic , the three-time league MVP , had 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists, Michael Porter Jr . scored 21 points and the Nuggets sliced Minnesota's series lead to 2-1 on the strength of their 14-for-29 shooting from 3-point range.
Anthony Edwards had a quiet 19 points to lead the Wolves, who went just 10 for 32 from deep even with a 4-for-5 effort from Karl-Anthony Towns . They failed to get Towns (14 points) enough shots and played slower than they did in the first two games in Denver while falling behind by as many as 34 points.
“I’ll take the blame for this loss. I came out with no energy at all. I can’t afford to do that for my team. I let my team down, coaches down, fans down," Edwards said. "I’ll be ready Sunday.”
The Nuggets became the 30th team in the history of the NBA playoffs to lose the first two games at home in a best-of-seven series. Five have rallied to win.
“You’re always testing and finding out about human nature and what guys are made of,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said.
This was the step forward Denver badly needed, breaking the 100-point barrier for the first time in three games against Minnesota's NBA-best defense.
“Everything was sharp. Everything was fast,” Jokic said.
Murray, who totaled just 25 points on 9-for-32 shooting with a minus-38 rating over the first two games, drew a $100,000 fine from the NBA for chucking a heat pack onto the floor from the bench.
The stone-faced point guard thrived on a mix of spot-up jumpers and fadeaways set up by dribble-handoffs, clearly with more spring in his step after three days to rest the strained left calf muscle that has hampered him over the last few weeks. Jokic and Aaron Gordon helped initiate the offense, alleviating the ball-handling load on Murray.
“His teammates freed him up, but he was aggressive and saw the ball go in early,” Malone said. “I think he does kind of relish those moments where he’s the bad guy.”
The defending champions not only brought the energy they promised would return after their no-show at home, but they hit enough of their shots to help keep the Wolves and their active rotations honest. The whistles tightened and Wolves defensive ace Jaden McDaniels was limited by foul trouble.
After sweeping Phoenix and dominating Denver in the first two games, the Wolves received their first reality check after their head-turning Game 2 dominance in Denver. The “Wolves in 4!" chant that erupted right before the opening tip was quickly ditched.
The Nuggets controlled the noise by creeping to a 28-20 edge after the first quarter, their largest lead of the series to date, and they didn’t stop there. They were up by 20 points late in the second quarter.
The Wolves got NBA Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert back after he missed Game 2 for the birth of his son, but the Nuggets zipped the ball around so well outside of the paint so well that his long arms were largely a nonfactor.
Gordon swished back-to-back 3-pointers and Porter hit one on the next possession midway through the third quarter to make it 72-50 and thwart another mini-Wolves rally.
By early in the fourth, fans began to file out of their seats. Frustrated by the accumulation of calls against them on the night, Wolves reserves Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kyle Anderson each were slapped with technical fouls during a timeout with 5:54 left for arguing with the officials.
“We earned the right to be talked about, but at the end of the day, we knew they were going to try and make it a series,” Alexander-Walker said.