The Denver Nuggets pulled out a 122-113 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 on Wednesday evening to increase their lead within the first-round sequence between the 2 groups to 2-0. The sequence will now shift to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4, the place the Wolves will look to climb again into it. Before transferring forward to these video games, here is a take a look at three key takeaways from Denver’s victory.
1. A Murray flurry
The final time we noticed Jamal Murray within the postseason, he was placing on an absolute present within the Orlando bubble because the Nuggets made all of it the best way to the Western Conference finals. He established himself as an elite playoff performer throughout that run. Unfortunately, Murray missed the previous two postseasons attributable to an ACL harm, so he could not construct upon his heroics from Orlando. Now that he is wholesome once more, although, he is clearly able to remind individuals how lethal he will be when the brightest lights shine.
After posting a stable 24-8-8 stat line within the sequence’ first recreation, Murray exploded in Game 2 with a 40-point efficiency. He linked on 13 of his 22 makes an attempt from the sphere and 6 of his 9 makes an attempt from lengthy vary. He additionally added 5 assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Murray dropped 22 of his 40 factors within the second half, together with 10 within the fourth quarter, to shut out the win for Denver. His shot-making was unbelievable, as he obtained mainly no matter shot he wished in opposition to Minnesota’s protection.
Murray additionally made some historical past along with his efficiency. He now has essentially the most 40-point playoff video games in Nuggets historical past with 5.
The indisputable fact that he appeared nearly as good as he did on this recreation bodes effectively for Denver’s hopes of constructing a deep postseason run.
2. Playoff profession excessive for Edwards
Murray wasn’t the one participant within the recreation who scored 40 factors. In truth, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards truly bested Murray by one level. Edwards completed the sport with a playoff career-high 41 factors to go together with 4 assists and two rebounds. Edwards scored 27 factors after halftime as he made a valiant effort to assist Minnesota win.
Ultimately Edwards’ manufacturing wasn’t sufficient to assist Minnesota keep away from falling into an 0-2 gap, however his effort is worthy of applause. Watching two of the league’s finest younger guards in Murray and Edwards commerce baskets was simply one of many highlights of this recreation.
If the Timberwolves have any likelihood of climbing again into it, Edwards must paved the way. So, this may not be the final time we see him put up some large numbers on this sequence.
3. Missing KAT
Minnesota’s struggles to begin this sequence cannot be pinned on one participant, however they want extra from Karl Anthony-Towns, who has been a digital no-show.
In Game 1, Towns scored simply 11 factors on 5-of-15 taking pictures from the ground, and a few of these factors had been acquired in rubbish time when the result was already determined. Keep in thoughts that is the workforce’s second-highest-paid participant. A multiple-time All-Star who needs to be seen as one of many league’s elite gamers. But Towns did the other as a substitute of utilizing that underwhelming Game 1 efficiency as motivation to return out higher — and extra aggressive — within the subsequent recreation.
Towns scored simply 10 factors on 3-of-12 taking pictures on Wednesday evening, and he was basically a non-factor. That merely cannot be the case. If the Wolves are going to have any likelihood to make this a sequence, Towns must be way more assertive and put up numbers which might be no less than according to his regular-season common of 20 factors per efficiency, if no more.
Look for Towns to return out with some added aggression in entrance of Minnesota’s dwelling crowd in Game 3. If he would not accomplish that and once more permits the sport to go him by, it will likely be honest to query what sort of competitor he really is.
