The timberwolves vs nuggets matchup returns to Ball Arena with Denver holding a 1-0 lead after a rugged opener that finished 116-105, as reported by ESPN.
Jamal Murray scored 30 points and made all 16 of his free throws, and Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, with a bloody nose in a physical contest, as reported by ESPN.
The game featured intense foul trouble and multiple technicals, with 42 fouls called and an unsportsmanlike technical on Jaden McDaniels for pushing Jokic, plus a technical on coach David Adelman, as reported by ESPN.
Denver trailed early by as many as 12 points but used a 17-2 run in the third quarter to seize control, and held off a late Minnesota push that trimmed the deficit to 97-95 with 6:23 remaining, as reported by ESPN.
Aaron Gordon finished with 17 points despite early foul trouble, and Donte DiVincenzo connected on four 3-pointers, as reported by ESPN.
Timberwolves leader Anthony Edwards scored 22 points while playing through a sore right knee and added seven assists, becoming the franchise postseason assists leader, as reported by ESPN.
Those results continued a regular-season edge for Denver, which went 3-1 against Minnesota during the campaign, and put the Nuggets in a favorable position to protect home court, as reported by AOL.
Broadcast Details And Series Outlook
Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night with tipoff at 10:30 p.m. Eastern from Ball Arena in Denver, and the game will air on NBC and stream on Peacock, as reported by AOL.
NBC Sports will feature Michael Grady on play by play with analysis from Brian Scalabrine and Austin Rivers, and Grant Liffmann reporting courtside, as reported by AOL.
The Nuggets enter Game 2 with a potent offense and efficient shooting that helped them finish ahead in the regular season, while Minnesota relies on Edwards and Rudy Gobert for scoring and rebounding, as reported by AOL.
Coaches framed the series as a physical matchup. Adelman called the opener a “grimy game,” and Chris Finch urged more composed play and smarter decisions from Minnesota, as reported by ESPN.
Peacock will offer enhanced viewing features including Courtside Live, Performance View overlays, vertical highlights and interactive ScoreCard tools to supplement the broadcast, as reported by AOL.
