The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a huge 119-114 comeback win in Game 2 against the Denver Nuggets on Monday.
Denver started off red hot in the first quarter, with Nikola Jokic orchestrating an offense that went on to make 12 out of 18 shot attempts in the quarter. The Timberwolves struggled at the same time and Denver was up 39 to 25 after 12 minutes.
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The second quarter was almost the exact opposite. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves got hot and knocked down 14 of their 20 shot attempts in the second frame.
At the same time, Denver scored just 25 points while shooting 40% from the field in the second quarter. It was all tied up by halftime.
Both teams came out slow in the second half before the Nuggets put together a 10-2 run late in the third to take go up by six.
Denver maintained a narrow lead throughout the fourth quarter as both sides exchanged blows.
Down the stretch, Julius Randle made a layup before Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo scored two looks at the rim to take a three-point lead with four minutes to play.
Despite excellent perimeter defense by Minnesota, Aaron Gordon sank a tough three with 90 seconds to play to make it a one-point game. DiVincenzo responded with a three of his own to go back up by four.
That’s when Jokic went up strong with a one-handed poster dunk over Rudy Gobert, and with 30 seconds to go, Edwards travelled and gave the Nuggets a chance to tie.
Christian Braun made one of two at the free throw line to cut the deficit to one with 19 seconds to play. But a quick foul sent Randle to the line, where he made two free throws and make it a three-point game.
Ultimately, Jamal Murray missed the go-ahead jumper on the other end before a fastbreak dunk sealed the win for Minnesota.
Edwards finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds while Randle had 24 points and nine rebounds.
For Denver, Murray finished with 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists while Jokic had 24 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists.
The series now head back to Minnesota tied at 1-1.
James Parker contributed to this story.
