By: Jennifer Portee
4/21/2016
The Timberwolves didn’t panic they fought back.
After falling behind by nearly 20 in Denver, Minnesota flipped the script and stormed past the Nuggets 119-114 in Game 2, behind 30 points from Anthony Edwards and 24 from Julius Randle to tie the series at 1-1.
For a moment, it looked like Denver was about to run away with it. The Nuggets came out sharp, building a 19-point lead early in the second quarter and controlling the pace behind Jamal Murray’s scoring run. But just as quickly as it started slipping away, the game turned right back around.
Minnesota answered with a scoring run of its own, matching Denver’s earlier dominance and completely changing the energy before halftime. What started as a potential blowout turned into a battle.
“Just staying together and composed,” Edwards said. “That’s what got us through it.”
Edwards looked like a different player from Game 1. More aggressive, more decisive attacking the rim instead of settling he set the tone for the comeback. Even while Minnesota trailed early, his energy and leadership never dipped, something head coach Chris Finch pointed to as a turning point.
Randle stayed reliable right there with him, hitting big shots when they needed them and taking care of business at the line late. When it mattered most, Minnesota made the plays Denver couldn’t.
The Nuggets had their chances. Nikola Jokic filled the stat sheet with 24 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, while Murray added 30, including a deep buzzer beater to end the first half. But in the fourth quarter, Denver’s stars went cold at the worst time, opening the door for Minnesota to take control.
That moment said everything. Edwards’ turnover gave Denver a quick opening, but they couldn’t cash in at the line, keeping things right there for Minnesota. On the other end, Randle stepped up and hit his free throws, and DiVincenzo finished it off with a breakaway dunk to seal it.
“I felt like we had it,” Murray said. “We just didn’t finish.”
Minnesota also found ways to adjust defensively, turning up the pressure and forcing tougher looks late. After a first quarter where Denver dictated everything, the Timberwolves gradually made it uncomfortable, and it showed when the game tightened.
Now, instead of facing a daunting 0-2 hole, Minnesota heads home with momentum and a reset series.
Game 3 shifts to Minneapolis, where the Timberwolves will look to build on a comeback that reminded everyone this team doesn’t fold, no matter the deficit.