Nuggets lean on two-man game and free throws in game one
TL;DR
The Nuggets secured a 1-0 series lead over the Timberwolves despite a slow start, relying on a strong second quarter and free throws. Key contributions came from Bruce Brown after Aaron Gordon faced foul trouble.
Key points
- Nuggets lead series 1-0 against Timberwolves
- Denver struggled in the first quarter, shooting over 27%
- Strong second quarter with 39 points helped secure the win
- Bruce Brown played crucial minutes after Aaron Gordon's foul trouble
- Game showcased Nuggets' depth and free throw efficiency
Nuggets lean on two-man game and free throws in game one
(DENVER) — The Nuggets didn’t have everything clicking in game one, but they found a way to win in key moments to take a 1-0 series lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Denver had not played all of their starters since April 8th against Memphis. The rust showed in the first quarter as the Nuggets made just over 27 percent of their shots.
“I thought we were playing well; we just didn’t make shots,” said Nuggets head coach David Adelman.
But Denver turned things around in the second quarter scoring 39 points spearheaded by their depth on the bench. After Aaron Gordon got into foul trouble, Bruce Brown played key minutes to keep the Nuggets afloat and helped Denver get to a 62-62 tie at the half.
From there, the Nuggets’ two-man game of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray took over in key moments with clutch buckets in the second half, which powered the offense when Denver could not rely on the three-point shot. In the end, it led to a 116-105 victory and allowed the Nuggets to grab the first victory in this series.
The Nuggets made 30 of their 33 free throws, with Murray leading the way with 16 of their own. Denver will look to take a 2-0 lead heading into Minnesota on Monday night at Ball Arena, with game two set for 8:30 P.M. Mountain Time.
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Q&A
How did the Nuggets manage to win game one against the Timberwolves?
The Nuggets won game one by relying on their two-man game and free throws, turning around a slow start with a strong second quarter.
What was the performance of Aaron Gordon in game one?
Aaron Gordon faced foul trouble during the game, which led to Bruce Brown stepping up to help the Nuggets stay competitive.
What was the score at halftime in the Nuggets vs Timberwolves game one?
The score was tied at 62-62 at halftime after the Nuggets scored 39 points in the second quarter.