DENVER (AP) — Anthony Edwards’ decision-making was as accurate as his shot-making.
When he gathered a crowd, he passed by. He shot when he was open and usually swished.
Edwards scored a playoff career-high and franchise postseason record 43 points, Naz Reid scored 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter, and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the defending NBA champions in Game 2 of Game 2. They defeated the Denver Nuggets 106-99. Saturday night round series.
Edwards could not stop the momentum, scoring 25 points in the first half, and the lead changed hands in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns scored 20 points despite being in foul trouble.
The Timberwolves shot an incredible 71.1 percent from the floor in the second half.
“The whole team, we trust each other,” Edwards said. He scored 40 or more points in his third career playoff game, going 17 of 29 from the floor. “It doesn’t matter who takes the last shot.”
It’s all part of Edwards’ evolution on the court.
“I’m proud of him for embracing the growth he needs to be here,” said Conley, who had 14 points and 10 assists. “It’s not easy for a 22-, 23-year-old player to adjust this quickly.”
“I’m 22 years old,” Edwards said playfully.
Game 2 will be played Monday night in Denver.
Three days after undergoing knee surgery, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was on the second row of the bench, next to the scorer’s table and behind assistant coach Mika Nori, giving instructions, pacing and switching. was.
Finch tore the patella tendon in his right knee last week in Minnesota’s first-round finale against Phoenix in a late-game collision with Wolves point guard Mike Conley.
“Every play that resulted in a goal was my decision, and the play that we didn’t score was his decision,” Nori said. “(Finch) was great. He used the words, ‘I don’t want it to be clunky.’ we did a good job on that. ”
Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Denver, but also had seven turnovers.
They were held scoreless in the first half, but Jamal Murray scored 17 points. Murray was the hero for the Nuggets in the first round, hitting 6-of-14 from the floor, along with a pair of game-winners as Denver eliminated the Lakers in five games.
“We have to do a better job of forcing them to take tough shots and make extra passes,” Jokic said.
With the score tied at 84, the Timberwolves opened the game with an 18-7 lead.
At one point, Reed led the Timberwolves to 10 consecutive points in a critical juncture.
Reid benefited the Nuggets by making sure Edwards was always covered.
“When (Edwards) draws three, he always makes the right play,” Reed said. “I’ve watched him grow from day one to this point. If he’s not a superstar now, he’s a superstar in the making.”
Last year, the Timberwolves were without Reid (broken wrist) and Jaden McDaniels (broken hand), and even though Towns missed 52 games with a severe calf strain, it was a tough first-round game for Denver. It was my opponent.
This time, not a single Timberwolves player was listed on the injury report.
“It’s always fun playing against the best players in the world,” Edwards said of playing against Jokic. “It’s always fun playing against the best teams in the world.”
Denver coach Michael Malone suggested that the Timberwolves are much better thanks to Edwards’ dramatic improvement in his game, in addition to being healthier.
“There’s no weakness in his game,” Malone said. “And it’s going to be a huge challenge to slow him down.”
Especially when he has so much help.
“Naz Reid departed. Karl-Anthony Towns started going. Mike Conley stepped up and Anthony Edwards carried the day in the first half,” Malone said. “But I felt like we lacked a lot of discipline and physicality in the second half. And they got everything they wanted.”
