Timberwolves get Edwards in 'attack mode,' tie series vs. Nuggets

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards poured in 30 points in a win over the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series Monday in Denver. Photo by Dustin Bradford/EPA-EFE

April 21 (UPI) -- Anthony Edwards relentlessly sliced downhill, carrying the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Denver Nuggets in Game 2 of their first-round series.

The Timberwolves guard netted 30 points and collected 10 rebounds in the 119-114 victory, tying the series 1-1 Monday in Denver. Timberwolves forward Julius Randle chipped in 24 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

"He was awesome," Timberwolves coach Chris Finch told reporters, when asked about Edwards. "It was unbelievable. I think also in that period when we were down, he was great on the bench. Great leadership.

"He recognized he needed to get into attack mode and get downhill a little bit more."

The Timberwolves outshot the Nuggets 47.8% to 44.2%, including a 41.2% to 36.6% clip from 3-point range. They also held advantages of 20-3 in second-change points, 52-40 in points in the paint and 33-23 in bench points. The game featured 15 lead changes and the Timberwolves trailed by as many as 19 points.

Nuggets center Nikola Jokic logged 24 points, 14 rebound and eight assists. Guard Jamal Murray totaled 30 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in the loss.

"It was just coming together, staying poised within those moments," Edwards said. "Just trying to make runs, get defensive stops. We were on one accord on the defensive end tonight, especially when they made those runs."

The Timberwolves and Nuggets exchanged the lead throughout the first few minutes of Game 2. The Nuggets took command with a 17-0 run and carried a 39-25 lead into the second quarter. Edwards and the Timberwolves bounced back with a 24-4 run in that frame. They exchanged the lead five times with the Nuggets in the quarter. The game was tied 64-64 at the break.