T-Wolves Finish Off the Defending Champion Nuggets
Game Seven never disappoints, and last night it was no different. The Minnesota Timberwolves went back to Denver knowing it was do or die against the defending champion Nuggets. At one point the T-Wolves were down by 20 points, 15 at halftime, and yet they came up big during the final minutes of this tightly knitted Western Conference Semifinals series. Guys like Naz Reid, and Jaden McDaniels were instrumental to Minnesota during their 98-90 Game Seven victory over the Nuggets. Denver’s two superstars Nikola Jokić, and Jamal Murray combined for 69 out of the team's 90 points in this heartbreaking loss. Nuggets fans were absolutely stunned by the second-round loss to this Timberwolves team. Now the Western Conference Finals are set as the T-Wolves will have home-court advantage against the Dallas Mavericks who took out the Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. This Timberwolves team has just made its first Western Conference Finals appearance for the first time since the Kevin Garnett days back over 20 years ago in 2004.
In the early minutes of the game, both teams had trouble making a basket. Denver led by five at the end of the first quarter with the team going 10 for 23 from the floor while Minnesota only went eight for 22. The Nuggets extended their lead after the second quarter. They outscored the T-Wolves 29-19 to give themselves a comfortable 15-point lead heading into halftime. At this point for the Timberwolves, they knew they had to turn it around as the Nuggets shot better from the floor, three-point range, and Denver outrebounded Minnesota 29-18. During the start of the second half, the T-Wolves came out with a different type of energy and the looks of something to prove. Minnesota outscored Denver 28-14 making it a one-point game, and an enticing fourth quarter of action. With less than seven minutes remaining, the Timberwolves held an 81-78 lead. They outscored the Nuggets 11-4 in the next three minutes of play, giving the T-Wolves a 10-point lead with three minutes left. Denver brought the deficit back down to five, but a tipped slam dunk from Karl-Anthony Towns, and Jaden McDaniels hitting one of two free throws made it an eight-point game once again. Although Jokić got a dunk with 13 seconds left, McDaniels hit another two free throws which iced the game. Minnesota mounted the largest Game Seven comeback ever as their 15-point deficit at halftime broke the record of 11 points. Even though they were eliminated, Denver has to feel proud of the team they have. Nikola Jokić is a first-ballot Hall of Famer with an NBA championship and three MVP Awards. He will certainly continue to bring the Nuggets success for the foreseeable future.
Both Jaden McDaniels and Karl-Anthony Towns led the Timberwolves with 23 points apiece. McDaniels put up 23 points, six rebounds, an assist, two steals, and a block. Towns recorded 23 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block. Anthony Edwards scored 16 points on six of 24 shooting as well as having eight rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. In 42 minutes of action, Jamal Murray led all scorers with 35 points in addition to having three rebounds, and three assists. “The Joker” had 34 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists, and a block in 46 minutes. With Anthony Edwards vs. Luka Dončić as the main storyline heading into the Western Conference Finals, it should be very intriguing what happens over the next week or so.
