DENVER (AP) — Anthony Edwards’ decision-making was as precise as his shots.
When he attracted a crowd, he passed. When opened, it would pull – and usually rustle.
Edwards scored a playoff career-high — and a franchise playoff record — with 43 points, Naz Reid had 14 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter and Minnesota Timberwolves beat the reigning NBA champion Denver Nuggets 106-99 in Game 1 of Second Round Series Saturday night.
Edward was unstoppable in the first half, scoring 25 points, and Reid took over in the fourth quarter. Karl-Anthony Towns had 20 points despite foul trouble. The Timberwolves shot 71.1% from the floor in the second half.
“The whole team trusts each other” said Edwards., who was 17 of 29 from the field as he posted his third career playoff game with 40 or more points. “It doesn’t matter who shoots at the end of the day. »
It’s all part of Edwards’ evolution on the field.
“I’m proud of the way he embraced the kind of growth he needed to be where he is,” said Conley, who finished with 14 points and 10 assists. “It’s not easy for a 22 or 23 year old to adapt so quickly.”
“Twenty-two,” Edwards interjected playfully.
Game 2 will take place Monday evening in Denver.
Three days after having knee surgery, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch was on the second line bench, next to the scorer’s table and behind assistant coach Micah Nori, who gave instructions, moves and substitutions. Finch ruptured the patellar tendon in his right knee last week when Wolves point guard Mike Conley collided with him late in Minnesota’s first round at Phoenix.
“All the plays we scored on were my calls and the ones we didn’t score on were his,” Nori said. “(Finch) was great. He said to me, “We don’t want it to be complicated,” is the term he used. We have done a good job in this regard.
Two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 32 points, eight rebounds and nine assists for Denver, but also had seven turnovers. Jamal Murray scored 17 points after being held scoreless in the first half. Murray, the Nuggets’ hero in the first round with two game-winning goals that helped Denver eliminate the Lakers in five games, finished 6 of 14 from the field.
“We have to do a better job of getting them to make tough shots, maybe make some extra passes,” Jokic said.
Tied at 84, the Timberwolves went on an 18-7 run to open the scoring. Reid had 10 straight points for the Timberwolves at one point during the pivotal stretch. Reid was the beneficiary for the Nuggets and made sure Edwards was constantly covered.
“When (Edwards) shoots threes, he always makes the right play,” Reid said. “I’ve watched him grow from day one to where he is – a superstar in the making, if he isn’t now.”
Last year, the Wolves were a tough first-round opponent for Denver despite the absence of Reid (broken wrist) and Jaden McDaniels (broken hand) and with Towns coming off a serious calf strain that cost him 52 matches. This time, not a single Timberwolves player was listed on the injury report.
“Competing against the best player in the world is always fun” Edwards said about facing Jokic. “Playing against the best team in the world is always fun. »
Besides being healthier, the Timberwolves were much better because of Edwards’ dramatic improvement in play, Denver coach Michael Malone suggested.
“There’s no weakness in his game,” Malone said. “And it’s going to be quite a challenge trying to slow him down.”
Especially when he has so much help.
“Naz Reid went for it. Karl-Anthony Towns got started. Mike Conley went for it – where Anthony Edwards got the win in that first half,” Malone said. “But in the second half I just didn’t feel enough discipline and physicality and they were able to get what they wanted.”
___
APNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA
