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The Minnesota Timberwolves rolled into Mile High City looking to complete a 3-1 season series win against the Denver Nuggets. At stake is more than the overall head-to-head tussle as the winner could eventually roost at the top of the Western Conference. Minnesota continued to miss Karl-Anthony Towns but Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards and Naz Reid were all cleared to play.
Nikola Jokic had a superb start despite Gobert all over him. "The Joker" finished the first quarter with 11 points, five rebounds and three assists but couldn't drag his team to the lead. Denver trailed 28-26 after the first 12 minutes ended.
The second frame continued to be a nail-biting slugfest between the two teams. Denver looked like it would pull away but costly turnovers allowed Minnesota to stick with them. The Nuggets' nine turnovers that the Timberwolves translated into 10 points were brutal.
The Minnesota Timberwolves, without "KAT," led 52-49 as both teams headed for the halftime break.
The Denver Nuggets took better care of the basketball in the third quarter but the Minnesota Timberwolves still kept it close. It looked like the visitors would continue to be in the driver's seat until Denver's 9-1 burst in the last two minutes. The Nuggets finally took the lead after the end of a quarter. They edged the Timberwolves 83-80 heading into the final frame.
The Timberwolves desperately tried to cut into the Nuggets' lead behind Mike Conley and Anthony Edwards. Minnesota was in striking distance until Christian Braun's back-to-back rim rattlers, the first one over Rudy Gobert, made it 108-94 with exactly three minutes remaining.
Minnesota called a timeout but Peyton Watson ended the Minnesota Timberwolves hopes of a last-ditch comeback. He had a stellar defensive play and then sprinted to the other end for another highlight reel slam. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch raised the white flag after that.
The Denver Nuggets defended their home court 116-107 against the gritty and resilient visitors from Minnesota on Wednesday.
Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets game player stats and box scores
Minnesota Timberwolves game player stats
Denver Nuggets game player stats
Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Anthony Edwards' 3-pointers tonight
Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were superb from 3-point distance in the first half against the Timberwolves. They missed just one of their five attempts from long distance.
Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, was content to drive to the basket, taking just one shot from deep and missed it.
"The Joker" and "Glitch" finished 6-for-8 from deep to finish the game. "Ant-Man" hardly had any light to shoot and ended 2-for-6 in 3-pointers tonight.
Guess the Lakers players!
