Wikipedia

Search results

Translate

Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves Defeat the Nuggets in Game 6

Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves Defeat the Nuggets in Game 6


GAME RECAP: TIMBERWOLVES 115, NUGGETS 70


Anthony Edwards and the Wolves left no doubt there would be one more game in their Western Conference semifinal series with Denver.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Anthony Edwards scored 27 points, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a dominant 115-70 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday night, forcing a decisive Game 7 in this thrilling playoff series.

Jaden McDaniels contributed 21 points and showcased strong defense, while Mike Conley added 13 points in his return from injury. The Timberwolves' big men—Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Naz Reid—combined for 38 rebounds, effectively limiting NBA MVP Nikola Jokic to a modest 22 points.

The series finale, determining a spot in the Western Conference finals, will be held in Denver on Sunday night.

Jamal Murray had another tough game, scoring just 10 points on 4-of-18 shooting for the Nuggets, whose bench was outscored 36-9—seven of those points coming in the final five minutes. The Timberwolves' reserves led a 24-0 run in the fourth quarter, extending the lead to an astonishing 49 points, following up on the starters' 20-0 surge in the opening quarter.

Aaron Gordon added 12 points and eight rebounds for the Nuggets, who struggled from three-point range, making only 7 of 36 attempts, and trailed by at least 17 points for the last 31 minutes of the game.

Offense from McDaniels, usually a bonus, was critical in this game. He scored 35 points over the first five games but was a force in Game 6, hitting 3 of 5 from deep and throwing down timely dunks to energize the crowd.

Edwards, who had a standout 44-point performance in a Game 4 loss at the Target Center, played with the determination of a superstar unwilling to let the series slip away. He scored nine points during the 20-0 run and had 19 points in the first half on just nine shots.

In the third quarter, Edwards turned a steal into a fast break, using two crossover dribbles to get past Michael Porter Jr. for a dunk. Moments later, he drew a foul on Porter and fell hard on his back. After a timeout to recover, Edwards returned to "MVP!" chants from the crowd.

As the Timberwolves' lead grew and a timeout signaled the start of emptying the bench, Edwards held up seven fingers to the cheering fans, anticipating Game 7.

Conley's return from a right calf muscle injury helped stabilize the Timberwolves' offense, which had struggled in Game 5. His veteran presence kept the half-court sets sharp and organized.

The Timberwolves' defense held the Nuggets to just 14 points in the first quarter, tied for the second-lowest total in this postseason, only behind Miami's 12 points in a Game 3 loss to Boston in the first round.

Murray struggled to find his rhythm against McDaniels and the Timberwolves' defense, which had faltered in the previous three games but came alive in Game 6. Murray, who had a 3-for-18 performance in Game 2, couldn't find success with any of his shots, including an air-balled finger roll. On the next possession, he was outmatched by Naz Reid, who scored to put the Timberwolves up 43-24.

McDaniels' tip-in of a missed 3-pointer by Reid at the halftime buzzer made it 59-40, a stark contrast to Murray's 55-foot buzzer-beater in Game 3, which had capped an 8-0 run over a pivotal 20 seconds.

The Timberwolves' commanding victory in Game 6 sets the stage for an exciting Game 7 showdown in Denver.


Next Post Previous Post
No Comment
Add Comment
comment url